Xabi Alonso has taken the helm at Chelsea and is looking to strengthen central midfield after the departure of Andrey Santos to Manchester United for £48 million.
The new manager will need depth in the heart of the pitch to support the squad’s ambitions.
Enzo Fernández’s future remains uncertain, with the Argentine expressing a desire to leave before the World Cup, creating a potential opening for a new midfield recruit.
Moises Caicedo remains the primary senior midfielder, while younger players Dario Essugo and Romeo Lavia are expected to play larger roles after injury‑affected seasons.
Chelsea has shown interest in Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott, but the club rejected a £64 million bid from the Cherries.
The club is also pursuing Roma midfielder Manu Kone, who impressed during France’s World Cup run and is valued around £51 million. Initial discussions with Roma have reportedly taken place.
Kone has stated his focus remains on the World Cup, with plans to discuss a club future after the tournament.
Recent summer activity included signing Atalanta right‑back Marco Palestra and a record‑breaking acquisition of Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers for £117 million. Chelsea is also considering a free‑agent acquisition of John Stones.
The club may raise funds through the sale of attacking duo Alejandro Garnacho and Nicolas Jackson, who have attracted interest from Aston Villa. Discussions about the status of forward Delap suggest he could be loaned or transferred to provide playing time.
With a new manager and a reshaped squad, Chelsea’s transfer strategy will focus on midfield reinforcement and potential squad adjustments ahead of the upcoming season.
