Chelsea are set for a busy end to the summer transfer window with less than two weeks to go for all business to be concluded.
Thomas Tuchel has made five signings so far this summer with the arrivals of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Gabriel Slonina, Carney Chukwuemeka and Marc Cucurella all joining.
Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku have both departed with more outgoings expected over the coming days and weeks as the Chelsea squad takes shape for the 2022/23 season.
Advert
Further arrivals are also expected. Cesare Casadei has arrived in England to seal his move from Inter Milan, while interest remains in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Wesley Fofana, Frenkie de Jong and Anthony Gordon.
As interest and talks intensify for multiple players, he is the latest on the futures of Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Anthony Gordon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Wesley Fofana
Advert
Chelsea are pressing to get a deal over the line for the 21-year-old but are yet to make a third bid for the France international. They’ve had two offers rejected already for the centre-back.
Tuchel has refused to comment about Fofana when asked, however has confirmed they are still in the market for one more central defender.
Leicester City want a world-record fee for a defender if they are to sell, which hasn’t arrived yet, and boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed no more bids have been made, nor has he handed in a transfer request.
Advert
He told the media on Thursday: “He hasn’t (handed in a transfer request). He’s a great kid. He’s loved by his team-mates. He’s a great personality. He’s still developing. He’s nowhere near the finished article.
“Currently at this moment, there’s nothing new (regarding bids). We’ve spoken numbers of times about the whole situation and of course that’s a private conversation. Our communication is normal, and we just continue to prepare for the games.
“I don’t think so far ahead (as to whether he will be at City at the end of the window). The idea is he’s still very much a Leicester City player. I’ve said a number of times here he’s not for sale. The club have made that clear and unless anything changes on that I would expect him to be here.
“It’s a challenge for any player and for clubs around this time when the window is open, and there’s lots of speculation and lots of noise that goes on with it, and especially for a young player. He’s 21. That’s why we’re here, to help and educate him in dealing with all these rumours.
Advert
“Mentally he is fine, but as you can imagine, a 21-year-old with the spotlight on you, talking about what you maybe can earn at another club, where you can play, it’s a challenge, that’s the honest answer.
“He’s been absolutely brilliant since his first day here. He's been fantastic when he has played, and the club stuck by him when he was injured. It’s a challenge for any player, in particular a young one, but he knows he’s loved here and this is an important step for his career, being here at Leicester and having more development.
“But it’s natural when other clubs are interested in you because of your talent, and especially with the money that comes with that. It certainly makes you think that’s for sure.”
Advert
Trevoh Chalobah
With the possible arrival of Fofana from Leicester City, Chalobah’s short-term future looks to be away from Stamford Bridge.
Game-time is set to be further reduced which has seen many clubs show interest in the defender, including from Inter Milan - and two other clubs - per claims in Italy, who discussed the defender during talks with the Blues over their imminent signing of teenager Cesare Casadei.
Chelsea are set to allow a loan move to happen, however it would be a straight loan and no option or obligation to buy would be included.
Anthony Gordon
Chelsea’s interest in the 21-year-old has quickly developed over the last week or so which has seen an offer of £45 million be rejected by Everton. Talks remain ongoing for the England U21 international, and more talks are set for early next week, as reported by Mike McGrath of The Telegraph who claims it will be over the phone due to co-owner Todd Boehly being set to be away from England.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Talks are ongoing with Barcelona over the forward who joined from Arsenal back in January. A meeting was held with Chelsea on Thursday night, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, which was ‘very positive’.
Personal terms are claimed not to be an issue with both camps on the same page about the contract.
A fee will need to be agreed between the two clubs though, with Barcelona’s €30 million valuation ‘considered too high’ by the Blues.
Topics: Trevoh Chalobah, Chelsea, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Wesley Fofana, Premier League, Football, Thomas Tuchel
