Chelsea will reportedly bankroll four key signings to support Enzo Maresca as he takes the reins – but must first sell several stars.
The Blues have until June 30 to shift some players to help the club meet Profit and Sustainability Rules after posting a pre-tax loss of £90.1million for the full year up to March.
Maresca is on the verge of being unveiled as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor at Stamford Bridge with an eight-man backroom team, as exclusively revealed by Mail Sport.
The Italian wants reinforcements and the goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, and striker positions are all targets.
Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s star striker with a £113million release clause, is the headline name on Chelsea’s shortlist according to The Sun.
The Nigerian forward scored 17 goals this campaign and fired in 31 in 2022-23 as he helped deliver a first Serie A title to Napoli in 33 years.
Also on that list is James Trafford, the Burnley goalkeeper who has won himself a place in Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
The Clarets forked out £19m for the youngster last summer and, one relegation from the Premier League later, Chelsea are weighing up a £20m move for him.
A goalkeeper who can play out from the back will be a priority for Maresca’s possession-based system, with neither Djordje Petrovic nor Robert Sanchez considered up to scratch for that.
Tosin Adarabioyo is the third name on the list and Chelsea have already offered him a contract.
The Fulham defender will become a free agent next month and Newcastle are still the favourites to sign him after his representatives agreed a deal with them.
As for the fourth player that Chelsea are targeting, The Sun do not name him, but going off Chelsea’s reported positional priorities he would be a left-back.
However, if they are to splash out on several first-team additions, Chelsea will have to sell stars to make sure they satisfy Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Players at risk could include Conor Gallagher, who has attention from Tottenham and Aston Villa and would count as pure profit for Chelsea but would prefer to stay.
Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen, Armando Broja, and Trevoh Chalobah are likely to be sold to raise funds.
Chelsea did initially have a £50m asking price for Broja, but that has since been dropped to the region between £30m and £40m, and zero goals in eight games on loan at Fulham isn’t the most commanding evidence for even that fee.
