Chelsea's busy week

BBC News

7 hours ago

Chelsea ideally want to do more than a deal every single day before the transfer deadline on 1 September. They are targeting moves for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig's versatile attacking midfielder Xavi Simons. For those two moves to go through, they want to sell both striker Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, while academy graduate Tyrique George would also see his game time reduced and is being allowed to explore both loan and permanent moves away from Stamford Bridge. That's five deals but defender Aaron Anselmino is also allowed to leave on loan before the transfer deadline. Now, we reach the so-called 'bomb squad', which features Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Alex Matos, Alfie Gilchrist and David Datro Fofana. They are all for sale. There is a limited chance for players to leave on overseas loan moves as Fifa limit overseas loanees to six players with four spots already filled. That effectively rules out the chance to even offer loan with obligation to buy moves for the likes of Jackson, Nkunku and others before the transfer deadline. Many of the clubs keen on Jackson, including Juventus and Napoli, would prefer to at least initially loan him, with at least £60m needed to sign him permanently. In total, Chelsea are looking to sign, sell and loan 13 players in 12 remaining days, with negotiations, legal documents and medicals all needing to be done, drafted and organised to allow moves to go through. In recent seasons, Chelsea have had late flurries for transfers before deadline day and again expect to be busy, with several transfer windows remaining open after those in the big five leagues close on 1 September. Loan moves for academy trained players who are under 21 are exempt from the rules.