Chelsea Transfer News Today: Osimhen wanted as Alonso makes major call
18 May 2026 21:03 BST |
4 min read
FootballTransfers runs through the latest Chelsea transfer news, rumours and gossip, including updates on Victor Osimhen and Xabi Alonso.
Victor Osimhen wanted
Chelsea have rekindled their interest in Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen ahead of this summer, according to TEAMtalk.
The Nigeria superstar has been linked with a Stamford Bridge switch for several years and the club are reportedly once again eager to secure his signature in a bid to improve the squad at Xabi Alonso’s disposal.
Galatasaray have no intention of selling Osimhen this summer, with a bid of at least €100 million set to be required, but “exploratory conversations” have already taken place amid interest from Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Blues will not be able to offer Champions League football next season, but they are hopeful that Alonso’s arrival will enable them to compete for their top targets this summer.
Xabi Alonso chooses backroom staff
Alonso will bring four coaches with him to Chelsea this summer, while interim boss Calum McFarlane will remain in the first-team set up at Stamford Bridge next season.
Alonso, 44, spent seven months as Real Madrid boss before his departure in January and The Athletic have confirmed that four members of his backroom staff from his time at the Bernabeu – assistants Sebastian Parrilla, Alberto Encinas and Benat Labaien, plus fitness coach Ismael Camenforte Lopez – will follow him to Stamford Bridge.
In addition, McFarlane will remain in the first-team as part of Alonso’s coaching staff, while set-piece coach Bernardo Cueva and goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts will also retain their roles with the west London giants.
Calum McFarlane hint
Chelsea interim head coach Calum McFarlane has inadvertently hinted that a number of central defenders could be sold by the club during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Chelsea currently have 10 senior central defenders on their books, including Axel Disasi and Aaron Anselmino, who are both out on loan, and the return to full fitness of Levi Colwill means they are now over-subscribed in that area of the pitch.
Benoit Badiashile and Mamadou Sarr were both excluded from the matchday squad to face Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday afternoon, with Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato and Colwill selected in the starting XI and Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong named on the substitutes bench.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Chelsea’s match against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday, McFarlane admitted: “Benoit and Mamadou didn’t make the squad – we can use them in the next two games potentially. We have a lot of players in their position.”
With McFarlane acknowledging that Chelsea have too many centre-backs to select them all in a matchday squad, it’s clear that at least one of their current options will be offloaded permanently this summer.
Goalkeeper shortlist
Chelsea have shortlisted six goalkeepers as possible summer signings, with the club keen to provide Alonso with an experienced shot-stopper to compete with Robert Sanchez for a starting berth.
Mike Penders had been tipped to battle for the number one shirt when his loan spell at Strasbourg ends this summer, but TEAMtalk now claim this is unlikely to happen following the appointment of Alonso.
Instead, the Blues have added Mike Maignan, Bart Verbruggen, Robin Roefs, Jordan Pickford, Marco Carnesecchi and Diogo Costa to their transfer wishlist, with the former regarded as their primary target.
Karim Adeyemi battle
Chelsea and Manchester United are both interested in Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi, as per TEAMtalk.
The Germany forward has been linked with a Premier League move for several months and Chelsea reportedly view him as a possible “dynamic addition” to their first-team roster under Alonso.
Talks were held last year and the Blues are set to challenge for his signature when the summer window opens amid significant competition from across Europe.
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