Chelsea plan nine-player firesale including desperate Raheem Sterling move

Daily Mirror

3 days ago

Chelsea's transfer business is far from over this summer with a number of exits from Stamford Bridge required as the Blues negotiate for two more deals before the window shuts
Raheem Sterling is the most high-profile name facing a Chelsea exit as the Blues look to launch a firesale in the final days of the transfer window. The west London side still have a number of permanent deals and loans to facilitate in order to whittle down their squad.
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For a second season in succession, Chelsea have a group of players training separately from Enzo Maresca's first team while they look for moves away from Stamford Bridge. The likes of Christopher Nkunku, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Canry Chukwuemeka, Tyrique George and Aaron Anselmino have all from clubs in Europe.
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Nicolas Jackson too has been linked with a transfer following the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap to Stamford Bridge. The Senegal international is still involved with Maresca's squad but was not in the team to take on Crystal Palace as Maresca noted: "The window transfer is open. He can leave, and we'll see."
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But that is not the only work required of sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart by the turn of the month. There a vast number of players not being considered part of the first team who at a pivotal point in their development and must move on or find a loan for experience.
Alfie Gilchrist, who featured for the first team under Mauricio Pochettino, spent last season on loan at Sheffield United, while Alex Matos, another youngster who impressed the ex-Chelsea boss, spent time with Oxford United. They are not alone in requiring opportunities.
Talented youth interenational Kiano Dyer, 18, was not involved for the club's under-21s on Monday and needs clarity, in addition too figures such as Omari Kellyman, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Ronni Stutter. David Datro Fofana too appears to have little place at the club having featured for loans at Union Berlin, Burnley and Goztepe since arriving at Chelsea in 2023.
It already appears that the club are requiring to be adaptable. Both Chelsea and the 30-year-old winger would prefer a permanent exit, but are open to a loan as the likes of Fulham, West Ham and Crystal Palace mull over a move.
Deals for all of the players above would see Chelsea move towards balancing the books after another significant summer of spending. The Blues have undertaken spending closee to £250million pounds already but brought in good fees for unwanted players such as Joao Felix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
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But Chelsea's ambitions to secure new arrrivals has not yet been dampened either. RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons and wantaway United winger Alejandro Garnacho remain on the agenda.
It's understood Garnacho has already agreed terms with Chelsea, but a transfer has yet to follow suit. While RB Leipzig have warned the Blues they are willing to walk away from negotiations over Simons, despite the Dutchman's desire to make a switch to Stamford Bridge.