- Chelsea will reportedly back Enzo Maresca with four key summer signings
- However, several stars could be at risk because Chelsea must comply with financial regulations
- CHRIS SUTTON weighs in on who won the battle between Ian Ladyman and Erik ten Hag – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Chelsea will reportedly fund four key signings to support Enzo Maresca as he takes charge, but must sell a number of stars first.
The Blues have until June 30 to transfer a number of players to help the club meet profit and sustainability rules, after posting a pre-tax loss of £90.1 million for the full year to with March.
Maresca is set to be 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 positions of goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back and striker are all targets.
Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s star striker with a £113m release clause, is the main name on Chelsea’s shortlist, according to the BBC. The sun.
Chelsea will reportedly fund four key signings to help Enzo Maresca build ahead of the new season
Victor Osimhen is the leading name on that shortlist, but whether Napoli will demand £113m for him
The Nigerian forward has scored 17 goals this season and scored 31 goals in the 2022/23 season as he delivered Napoli a Serie A title for the first time in 33 years.
Also on that list is James Trafford, the Burnley goalkeeper who has secured himself a place in Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for Euro 2024.
The Clarets paid £19m for the youngster last summer and one relegation from the Premier League later, Chelsea are considering a £20m move for him.
A goalkeeper who can play at the back will be a priority for Maresca’s possession-based system, and neither Djordje Petrovic nor Robert Sanchez are being considered.
Tosin Adarabioyo is the third name on the list and Chelsea have already offered him a contract.
The Fulham defender becomes a free agent next month and Newcastle are still favorites to sign him after his representatives agreed a deal with them.
As for the fourth player Chelsea are eyeing, The Sun is not naming him, but based on Chelsea’s reported positional priorities, he would be a left-back.
However, if they want to spend multiple additions to the first team, Chelsea will have to sell stars to ensure they meet profit and sustainability rules.
Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford is a target for £20m despite being relegated this season
The Blues want to sign Tosin Adarabioyo for free, but will face competition from Newcastle
Players at risk of Chelsea having to sell include homegrown midfielder Conor Gallagher
The players at risk could include Conor Gallagher, who has the attention of Tottenham and Aston Villa and would be considered a win for Chelsea but would prefer to stay.
Meanwhile, Ian Maatsen, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah are likely to be sold to raise funds.
Chelsea initially had an asking price of £50m for Broja, but that has since dropped to the region of £30-£40m, and zero goals in eight games on loan at Fulham is not the most compelling evidence for even that fee.
