Chelsea officials are planning to offload several players this summer, having already invested around £140 million in new signings. The club`s ownership, BlueCo, aims to balance their finances in accordance with Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro are both set to join Enzo Maresca`s squad. Pedro has already had his medical in the US before his £55 million transfer from Brighton, which is now confirmed. Chelsea also secured a deal for Gittens for the same price.
| Chelsea`s best performers in the Premier League last season | Average match rating |
|---|---|
| Cole Palmer | 7.33 |
| Moises Caicedo | 7.02 |
| Enzo Fernández | 6.95 |
| Nicolas Jackson | 6.88 |
| Noni Madueke | 6.82 |
These moves follow their £30 million acquisition of Ipswich Town midfielder Liam Delap. It is also reported that Chelsea is discussing a potential transfer for West Ham winger Mohammed Kudus, identified as their next primary attacking target.
If they succeed in signing Kudus, the West London club will need to generate significant funds from player sales. So far, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is the only senior player to have departed.
Kepa moved to Arsenal for approximately £5 million, a transfer confirmed earlier this week. Chelsea is widely expected to facilitate more high-profile departures.
Several players, including Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, and Axel Disasi, might leave Stamford Bridge this summer, according to The Athletic. This is alongside potential exits of more regular first-team members.
It is alleged that Christopher Nkunku is seeking a transfer, while Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson are reportedly attracting interest from London rivals Arsenal.
Enzo Maresca will need to reduce the number of surplus wingers in the squad. This includes England international Raheem Sterling, who has returned after a disappointing loan period at Arsenal.
Chelsea preparing to sell Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke
Journalist Pete O`Rourke, reporting for Football Insider, states that Chelsea is willing to entertain offers for both Sterling and Madueke.
Madueke, who was signed from PSV Eindhoven for around £30 million in 2023, has featured prominently under Maresca in recent months. He has also received commendation from England manager Thomas Tuchel for his international performances.
However, Madueke could be sold if the right offer comes in. Arsenal remains a potential destination, given the reported interest and the clubs` recent history of transfer dealings.
Chelsea is unlikely to recoup Sterling`s original £50 million fee from Manchester City. Nevertheless, offloading the 30-year-old`s substantial £325,000-per-week wages would provide a significant boost to BlueCo`s financial balancing act.
Spanish reports last week suggested that Besiktas was in talks to sign Sterling. This indicates a potential avenue in the Turkish Süper Lig, or possibly in Saudi Arabia, where clubs are best positioned to match his high salary demands with contract offers.
