While eyes for Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea squad are on both the end of the Premier League season and the UEFA Conference League, work ahead of the summer will be going on in the background.
The Blues will be looking to build on the late win over Fulham last weekend when they are back in Premier League action in Saturday’s early kick-off against Everton at Stamford Bridge. Going into the game, Chelsea sit in sixth place in the Premier League table, but are just two points behind fifth place which will earn a Champions League place this season.
Even with the season still ongoing, there has already been talk as to who Chelsea might buy in the upcoming summer transfer window. Maresca will be keen to strengthen his squad again ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
With that in mind, here is a look at a couple of the latest stories doing the rounds at Stamford Bridge regarding the transfer window and potential incomings.
Chelsea ‘favourites’ for Huijsen
Chelsea are leading the race to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, according to reports.
The Spain international has a £50 million release clause in his contract that will become active in the summer, and the Telegraph report that Chelsea are at the ‘front of the queue’ for him amid interest from the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid.
Chelsea are said to be long-term admirers of Huijsen and have a good relationship with the player’s agent. It is added that other defensive targets include Ajax’s Jorrel Hato and Everton’s Jarred Branthwaite.
FL says : Winning the race for Huijsen would be a big boost for Chelsea at the start of the transfer window. Despite being just 20 years old, the centre-back has shown that he is more than comfortable in the Premier League, and his style will suit how Maresca likes to play, being able to use both feet.
His addition would also be handy given fitness concerns over Wesley Fofana. The Frenchman has struggled with multiple injuries over the last couple of seasons, and is out for the remainder of the season having undergone hamstring surgery.
Five-man striker shortlist
As well as a centre-back, Sky Sports report that the Blues are targeting a striker and winger as they look set for another busy summer.
The report goes on to name a five-man shortlist of potential striker targets. On that list are: Liam Delap, Victor Osimhen, Hugo Ekitike, Benjamin Sesko and Jonthan David.
Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho as well as Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens and Athletic Club’s Nico Williams are also named as the winger targets who are being watched.
FL says : There’s no doubt that Chelsea need to reinforce their attack in the summer transfer window, and having a shortlist of potential options is the right way to go about it. That way if Chelsea miss out on one target, such as Delap, they can quickly move onto the next.
The Blues are likely to face competition for most of the targets, but will hope that they can complete one before the end of the window.
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