Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca remains keen to upgrade his attacking options, despite having already signed Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and Joao Pedro.
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That is according to recent reports, specifically from Stamford Bridge journalist Simon Phillips, who states that signing new forwards is still a top priority for Maresca after his side’s struggles against the low block throughout 2024/2025.
“Chelsea are going about their transfer business to have a strong end to the window and make sure they are fully equipped to capitalise on this success and go into the new Premier League season,” wrote Phillips on his Substack earlier this week.
“Enzo Maresca has prioritised the attack as his point of improvements, and they want to have deep cover and quality in all areas of the attack to make sure they can break down low blocks – something they all collectively saw as one of the biggest problems they faced last season and will continue to face in the Premier League into next season.”
More player sales will be key to this, however, with UEFA putting pressure on Chelsea to sell squad members and balance out the team, or face not being able to register new signings for the Champions League next season (Kaveh Solhekol).
Having just won the Club World Cup, granting Chelsea a seismic £87.5 million financial windfall, they’ve also sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli and Djordje Petrovic for a combined rumoured fee of around £96 million – which will be closer to £100 million when taking into account Mathis Amougou’s move to Strasbourg.
The cost of that transfer was undisclosed, but factoring in their near-£187.5 million cash boost, Chelsea have actually made a profit so far this summer – so there is still money left to spend whilst comfortably avoiding the PSR threshold.
Chelsea are also looking at ‘unofficial swap deals’ as a means to balance out their squad and land key transfer targets (Simon Phillips), with Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze chief among the options on their shortlist.
Chelsea given free run at signing Eberechi Eze after Arsenal decision
Earlier this week, it was reported that Chelsea held fresh talks with Eze’s representatives, and TEAMtalk now claim that the Blues could have a free-run at signing the England international, who has a £68 million release clause in his contract.
TT back up suggestions that Chelsea are talking to the 27-year-old’s camp, and what’s more, it is believed that Arsenal have decided to cool their interest in Eze.
Tottenham pulled away in recent weeks too, so Chelsea could now have a free run at signing Eze this summer, and they’re prepared to offer him a “lucrative contract” to tempt the attacker across London to Stamford Bridge.
Eze bagged 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season, including the game-winning FA Cup final strike against Man City to hand Palace their first ever major trophy.
“Everyone who loves football should enjoy seeing Eze on the pitch,” said Fulham boss Marco Silva in 2024.
“He is a top, top young player and has so much quality with everything he does on the pitch.”