Chelsea are focused on several outgoings between now and the end of the window, which could unlock moves for Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons.
Nicolas Jackson is still expected to leave Stamford Bridge, and the Blues could lower their £80m asking price to help facilitate an exit. Newcastle United and Aston Villa both have the Senegal international on their radar. AC Milan and Juventus are also open to a deal should the price drop.
Jackson has been offered to Napoli in light of Romelu Lukaku's injury. Christopher Nkunku is also expected to depart, with the French attacker keen on a move to Bayern Munich. The reigning German champions saw a loan bid rejected over the weekend. Both Chelsea and Nkunku want permanence to any exit and this has been made clear from the start. Club-to-club talks are still ongoing with different formulas discussed.
Sterling On Course to Be Among Blues Exits
Raheem Sterling in action for Arsenal
Raheem Sterling is likely to leave the west Londoners, and Chelsea are prepared to sanction another loan due to a shortage of permanent transfer options. Sterling spent last season on loan at Arsenal but has had limited suitors this summer. Fulham made an enquiry in July and are still alert to Sterling's situation.
Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are also expected to depart, while Renato Veiga is currently in talks with Villarreal. Carney Chukwuemeka wants to return to Borussia Dortmund, where he spent last season on loan, but the German side have not yet met Chelsea's £40m valuation and have instead failed with a loan bid with an obligation to buy option set at around £15m.
It is also possible that Tyrique George, who has been discussed by Leipzig, will be sold or loaned. Aaron Anselmino could be loaned out as well.
The aim was to sell defender Alfie Gilchrist for around £5m at the beginning of the summer, with the price dropping in recent weeks. Chelsea are now willing to sanction a loan, with the Championship his most likely destination.
The Blues are set to raise over £250m in player sales once the window closes, and that could allow them to bid for Garnacho and Simons. Both players want the move to Stamford Bridge and have agreed terms, but nothing is yet agreed with Manchester United and Leipzig respectively.
Chelsea's tactic is to let time run down, knowing the price for both players is likely to drop. This also affords them the ability to get some names out the door.
Head coach Enzo Maresca has also said publicly he wants another defender in light of Levi Colwill's anterior cruciate ligament injury, but there is no guarantee another centre-back arrives. GMS understands that links with Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni are wide of the mark.
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