Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Fulham have expressed an interest in signing both Raheem Sterling and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea this summer.

Sterling, 30, has no future at Stamford Bridge and is among a group of a dozen or so players training away from the first team in what has been nicknamed the 'bomb squad'.

Chelsea's strong preference remains to sell Sterling and they have placed a £20m asking price on the winger, although his £300,000-a-week contract still has two years to run, making any deal out of the club more complicated.

Arsenal previously agreed to split the wage when signing him on loan last season, but even a 50-50 split would be a stretch for Fulham's comparatively modest wage bill.

Fulham would have to compete against Champions League clubs like Bayer Leverkusen, while Juventus and Napoli have also been credited with an interest.

They would, however, be attractive to Sterling, who could remain in his family home in London, with his son, Thiago, recently joining Arsenal's academy.

The Whites remain the only Premier League club yet to make a signing, but they are calm about the situation and aim to keep Marco Silva's current squad together, having made contact to re-sign former loanee Reiss Nelson from Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Dewsbury-Hall remains valued as a Blues squad player rather than an automatic starter and there is no sense he is pushing for a move, with West Ham also reportedly interested in signing the midfielder if the terms are favourable.

Chelsea feel they have made some progress on selling players this summer, with Noni Madueke, Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga already gone for a combined £82m.

Goalkeeper Mike Penders, midfielder Kendry Paez and defender Mamadou Sarr are the three currently expected to join partner club Strasbourg - also owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital - on loan.

As with Sterling, the club's preference for on players who were out on loan last season and not wanted by manager Enzo Maresca is to sell.

Joao Felix is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia and his former club Benfica, with the latter strong favourites and expected to make a bid soon.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea are satisfied with their striker options Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, despite the sudden potential availability of Newcastle's Alexander Isak.

The 25-year-old Sweden striker is exploring a move away from St James's Park amid interest from Liverpool.

Chelsea previously looked into the chance of signing the striker in a PSR swap last summer but are not currently expecting to rekindle their interest.

They remain open to signing a different profile of attacker and are in talks to sign RB Leipzig and Netherlands forward Xavi Simons, as well as Ajax defender Jorrel Hato.

Chelsea and Manchester United have ruled out a move for Newcastle's Sweden striker Alexander Isak, with the 25-year-old wanting to explore a move away from St James' Park. (Mail), external

Meanwhile, Blues winger Raheem Sterling has emerged as an attacking target for Italian champions Napoli. (Calciomercarto - in Italian), external

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We asked for your thoughts on Chelsea's signings so far this summer and whether the Blues needed more reinforcements amid the links with Dutch duo Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato.

Here are some of your comments:

Dan: Chelsea still being interested in signing Simons and Hato makes sense. Hato is the much-needed back-up for Marc Cucurella, so players like Reece James and Malo Gusto will stop being played out of position as support. Simons can play on the left and in the centre, which is needed when joao Felix, Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku are all looking to be permanent departures this window.

Steve: They are trying to strengthen quality and depth. The moment they get what they want, they will offload what they don't want to balance their accounts.

Jay: We definitely have too many players. Hato is a good investment as back-up for Cucurella, which is desperately needed, but I think Simons is a bit unnecessary, and Jamie Gittens just looks like a Noni Madueke 2.0. No more incomings for me and hoping for plenty of sales!

Harry: We don't need anyone else. We have a big, strong squad, and they are more than capable of getting to the level they need to win the Premier League and the Champions League.

Fossie: We have a bloated squad and need to trim it down. The only position we need to strengthen is the goalkeeper. Why on earth did we sell Djordje Petrovic? I do not know as he is a better keeper than Robert Sanchez. While he had a good Club World Cup, Sanchez's distribution is still lousy.

Finn: Can we give it a rest? Simons is a great player, and perhaps would provide useful competition and/or back-up for Pedro Neto, but we are more stacked than Schwarzenegger in the wide positions. If we don't shift a couple of players, like Felix, we're going to end up with an unhappy contingent of players starved of meaningful game time, which can't be great for squad morale. This just seems like a scattergun, haphazard approach following the windfall from the Club World Cup.

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Jordan Butler
BBC Sports Journalist

Chelsea's summer spending shows no signs of relenting, and only Liverpool have splashed more cash than the £200m shelled out by the Club World Cup champions during this transfer window.

If they do push ahead and acquire Ajax defender Jorrel Hato and RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons as expected, the Dutch duo would be the 49th and 50th signings of the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital era.

Exactly half of the 48 players purchased so far have been midfielders or wingers.

Since American businessman Boehly took control in May 2022, Chelsea have spent almost £1.5bn on players, including more than £100m on both Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

The current squad appears overpopulated in attacking positions, with more than 10 attacking players - including new additions Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap - competing for just four places in Enzo Maresca's usual 4-2-3-1 formation.

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport Journalist

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As Chelsea move towards the signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, the immediate question is not about his talent, but his fit.

If the transfer happens, the Netherlands international would be another highly technical, creative player - one who occupies many of the same zones as Chelsea talisman Cole Palmer.

Palmer has, of course, been central to Chelsea's attacking identity since signing for the club.

Whether operating from the right or through the middle, the 23-year-old has offered consistent end product, mature decision-making and an ability to create in tight spaces.

The concern with Simons, then, is obvious: would his arrival crowd the same creative lanes? Would it limit Palmer's influence?

The data suggests otherwise.

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A comparison of their performance percentiles - measured against attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe's top five leagues - shows two players who operate in similar creative zones but contribute in different ways.

Palmer ranks in the 95th percentile for shot-creating actions (SCA), slightly ahead of Simons, who also rates highly in the same category.

In terms of expected assists (xA), Palmer again has the edge, underlining the quality of his final ball. But Simons ranks higher for touches in the attacking third, progressive passes received and take-ons attempted, suggesting a more direct involvement in progression and build-up rather than end product.

The distinction is important.

Palmer is the more efficient of the two - fewer actions, more output. Simons offers volume, drive and constant presence. He takes more risks on the ball, looks to carry through the middle third and is more active in receiving forward passes in tight spaces. Both are creators, but they do so through different patterns of play.

The clearest evidence of compatibility, though, comes through their heat maps.

Palmer's involvement is concentrated in the right half-space and central areas just outside the penalty box. Simons, by contrast, operates predominantly on the left, drifting inward from wide zones but rarely infringing on Palmer's preferred territory.

There is minimal spatial overlap. The visual data suggests a natural left-right balance, with Simons on the left and Palmer either centrally or on the right - roles both have occupied last season with success.

Chelsea's use of Palmer at the Club World Cup reinforced this tactical flexibility. He was deployed in multiple roles, including as a right-sided and an advanced central midfielder, without a dip in influence.

Simons, who excelled for Leipzig in a left-sided creative role, could feasibly mirror this from the opposite flank.

The data supports a structure in which both can co-exist - two high-level creators, each with different methods, combining without stepping on each other's toes.

Palmer offers end product and control. Simons brings directness and progression. If used correctly, they do not duplicate each other - they complement.

For Chelsea, this could be seen as an opportunity rather than a dilemma.

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Chelsea have been active in the summer transfer window as they continue to build a youthful and dynamic squad under their long-term project - with RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons and Ajax defender Jorrel Hato next on their radar.

The Blues have already secured several high-potential signings:

• Jamie Gittens – £48m from Borussia Dortmund. The England youth international arrived from the Bundesliga with a growing reputation as a direct, pacey winger capable of unlocking defences.

• Joao Pedro - a deal worth £60m from Brighton. Chelsea moved swiftly to secure the Brazil forward, who has impressed in the Premier League with his creativity, link-up play and finishing ability.

• Liam Delap - £30m from Ipswich Town. A powerful striker with Premier League experience, Delap adds a different profile to Chelsea's attacking options.

• Mamadou Sarr - £12m from Lyon. The 19-year-old centre-back joined as one for the future, bringing strength and composure in defence after progressing through the Ligue 1 side's academy.

• Dario Essugo – £18m from Sporting. A highly rated midfielder, Essugo is known for his tenacity and maturity, having debuted in the Portuguese top flight at just 16 years old.

• Estevao Willian - the Brazil winger joined the Blues from Palmeiras this summer after a £29m deal was agreed in May 2024.

• Kendry Paez - a £17m deal to sign Ecuadorian teenager Paez was agreed in 2023 but he has linked up with Chelsea this summer after turning 18 in May.

That's seven new additions already - many of them young, technically gifted, and attack-minded.

Which begs the question: how many signings are too many?

Do Chelsea really need more players, especially more young attackers? Or should the focus now be on balance, experience and cohesion?

If you do think more reinforcements are needed, where should they come - defence, midfield or elsewhere?

Get in touch with your views here

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Fulham are confident of keeping hold of midfielder Seth Ridgeon, despite Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool showing interest in the England Under-17 captain. (Standard), external

RB Leipzig have named attacking midfielder Xavi Simons in their training camp squad, despite the 22-year-old Netherlands international holding talks over personal terms with the Blues. (Standard), external

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Chelsea are advancing with their interest in RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons.

Talks over personal terms for the 22-year-old are under way, with Simons understood to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge and the Bundesliga club aware of the Blues' interest.

Sources have indicated Bayern Munich also hold a level of interest in Netherlands international Simons, but the German champions are currently focused on Liverpool forward Luis Diaz.

Arsenal have also been made aware of Simons' situation.

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Atletico Madrid have opened talks with Chelsea over a deal for Renato Veiga, with the Blues demanding about £35m for the centre-back. (Fabrizio Romano, external)

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Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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Bayer Leverkusen are among the clubs monitoring Chelsea's Raheem Sterling.

The forward is attracting interest from a clutch of European sides with Leverkusen, according to sources close to the situation, believed to be among the teams keeping abreast of developments over his future.

Sterling is not in Enzo Maresca's plans and can leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 30-year-old has returned to the Blues having spent last season on loan at Arsenal.

Chelsea, Aston Villa and Tottenham and are monitoring the situation of 21-year-old Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, with clubs believing the Argentina international could be available for about £40m. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, the Blues are interested in RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, 22, but may need to sell some players first to make room for the Netherlands international in their squad. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Chelsea defender Renato Veiga.

The Portugal centre-back arrived at Stamford Bridge from FC Basel for £12m last summer but only made seven Premier League appearances before being loaned to Juventus in January.

It is understood Chelsea have set an asking price of about £34m for the 21-year-old with Atletico keen to pay less, with both sides confident a deal can be done.

Veiga made his international debut in October 2024 and has five caps for Portugal.

Fellow Chelsea defender Alfie Gilchrist could also be on his way out, with the club likely to do business at around £5m.

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Noni Madueke has become the latest player to make the switch from Chelsea to Arsenal, so we asked for your views on the winger's £50m move to the Emirates.

How do you feel about the number of Chelsea players making the move to the north of the capital? Do you think this transfer could come back to bite the Blues?

Here are some of your thoughts:

James: It very much depends on the situation. For example Petr Cech left with much admiration, but when it comes to Madueke I feel that he still had so much to offer Chelsea. I'm sorry to see him go and this move could potentially be an own goal for us.

Abubakar: I'm not happy at all with this transfer. I absolutely love Noni and I'm very gutted that he is leaving.

Tom: I think it might be one Chelsea regret. Looking at all the players we have sold to Arsenal, from Cech onwards, all of their careers have been winding down (with the possible exception of Kai Havertz). Madueke is a real talent though. Good luck to him, just not when he plays us.

Gareth: Why do we keep helping Arsenal? I understand selling him, but why to them? Why would you help your rival? They obviously need more wide players.

Keith: Chelsea have benefitted more than Arsenal here. Nice one.

Stuart: It's good business from Chelsea. He is a rotational squad player with low goals and assists and we have sold him for £50m.

Paul: It's all about money. Madueke was falling down the pecking order at Chelsea, so who can blame him? He will get more chances at Arsenal but I still don't think that he will do any good there.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

The idea of a player crossing the divide and joining a bitter rival can seem almost like sacrilege for fans.

Even if that player has won the biggest of prizes or scored the most important of goals, it often does little to temper the disgruntlement of supporters when they meet again.

And yet, that seems to do little to deter transfers from west to north London.

With Noni Madueke becoming the latest to move from Stamford Bridge to the Emirates, it continues a recent trend of transfers between Arsenal and Chelsea.

Before the top flight became the Premier League, there had been just six transfers between the two clubs, going all the way back to the 1950s when Billy Dickson traded west for north London in 1953.

In contrast, since the turn of the century there have now been 13 such switches.

There were the infamous moves of Ashley Cole and William Gallas in 2006 - heading in opposite directions - and, more recently, Chelsea's Champions League final hero Kai Havertz joining Mikel Arteta's side in 2023.

What is most notable, however, is the one-sided direction the transfers have been taking.

Of the 13 that have happened in the Premier League era, 11 of those have been players - whether a sale, loan or free transfer - heading from the Blues to the Gunners.

The reason why will vary from footballer to footballer and transfer to transfer - Arsenal may be looking for experience while Chelsea eye up youth, or the player could want a move but without disrupting his family life.

Whatever the motive, the trend for this particular trip across London appears to be increasing, even if fans' tolerance to it might not.

How do you feel about the number of Chelsea players making the move to the north of the capital? Were they heading for the exit door anyway? Or could it come back to bite the Blues?

Let us know

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Noni Madueke says he leaves Chelsea with "nothing but fond memories" after completing a permanent move to Arsenal.

The winger has joined the Gunners in a deal worth £50m, with an initial fee of around £48.5m.

Madueke joined the Blues from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for £30m and has scored 20 goals in 92 appearances.

The 23-year-old was part of Chelsea's Club World Cup squad and came on as a substitute as they reached the final by beating Brazilian side Fluminense 2-0, before leaving to complete his move to the Emirates.

He also leaves the club as a Conference League winner having helped the side to the trophy in 2024-25.

In a message posted on his social media, Madueke said: "Dear Chelsea Football Club, I want to thank you for the Last three or so years.

"To every staff member that helped me along this journey, thank you. To my teammates - thank you for everything, I leave with only love and admiration for you guys. We achieved so much this season and I honestly wish you guys nothing but the best.

"To Enzo Maresca, it was a privilege to play under you, thank you for trying to better me as a player and as a person.

"Lastly, thank you to every single Chelsea fan. Thank you for the love, the praise and also the criticism, I appreciate it all. I leave here with nothing but fond memories."

The England international becomes the second Blues player to move to north London this transfer window after Kepa Arrizabalaga completed a permanent move to Arsenal earlier this month.

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