Garnacho absent, talks for defender stalling, Kone’s price revealed, and more
Chelsea are without a doubt the Premier League’s busiest club during the summer transfer window.
The Blues have already concluded several deals, with their most recent being Andrey Santos moving to Manchester United for £50 million.
Marc Cucurella and Tyrique George have also already left but more outgoings and incomings are expected before the Blues’ opening Premier League match away to Fulham next month.
Soon-to-be axed Alejandro Garnacho absent from Xabi Alonso’s first training session
Alejandro Garnacho was the most notable admission from Alonso’s first training session.
The young Argentine endured a disastrous opening season at Stamford Bridge following his £40 million from Manchester United last summer.
Consequently, Alonso doesn’t fancy him and is happy for the Blues to cut their losses.
With one foot already out the door, Roma are continuing negotiations to sign Garnacho despite there being a clear gap in their valuation.
Marc Guiu could stay a Premier League player
Like Garnacho, striker Marc Guiu is unlikely to still be a Chelsea player next season.
The 20-year-old was recalled from his loan with Sunderland last time out after Liam Delap suffered an injury but failed to make regular appearances.
Unsurprisingly expected to leave on a permanent deal, Guiu, although linked with a return to Sunderland, is a top target for Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys’ recent promotion back to the Premier League sees them in need of some firepower upfront and Gary O’Neil believes Guiu could be the right man for the job.
Chelsea learn Manu Kone’s price tag
One of the World Cup’s standout performers was Roma and France’s Manu Kone.
The 25-year-old kept AT out of Didier Deschamps’ starting 11 for most of Les Bleus’ tournament and, as a result, is understandably attracting interest from Premier League clubs.
Manchester United are keen on the Frenchman but so are Chelsea. The Blues are expected to make a move for the midfielder, who is valued upwards of £50 million.
Maxence Lacroix talks ongoing behind the scenes
And another France international who could yet arrive at Stamford Bridge is Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix.
The 26-year-old is one of Alonso’s top centre-back targets. The Blues have been negotiating with the Eagles for several weeks but both clubs have yet to reach an agreement.
Fabrizio Romano has assured supporters Chelsea remain hard at work ‘behind the scenes’, but it may mean parting with over £60 million.
Trevoh Chalobah increasingly likely to move to Serie A
Even though Trevoh Chalobah was part of Thomas Tuchel’s final 26-man England squad for this summer’s World Cup, the Chelsea defender was one of only a handful of players not to play a single minute in North America.
And clearly out of favour at club level as well, the 27-year-old is likely to be sacrificed by Chelsea as the club look to raise funds for Alonso’s preferred targets.
Crystal Palace are open to welcoming him back Selhurst Park but the defender’s preference is to move to Italy amid strong interest from Inter Milan and Cesc Fabregas’ Como.
Pep Chavarria deal complicated by Rayo Vallecano’s finances
Another player Alonso has handpicked is Rayo Vallecano’s Pep Chavarria.
The new Chelsea boss believes the 28-year-old Spaniard is the perfect player to replace Marc Cucurella following his recent transfer to Real Madrid.
The Blues are finding talks difficult, though. Rayo Vallecano are in a strong position.
Despite Chelsea already offering just over £21 million for the left-back, the La Liga club are adamant they will not sell Chavarria unless his £42.4 million release clause is activated.
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