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Chelsea are preparing for the upcoming season following a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. The Blues cut ties with Mauricio Pochettino after finishing sixth in the Premier League and have appointed Enzo Maresca as his successor.
Meanwhile, the London giants are edging closer to a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Elsewhere, midfielder Conor Gallagher has failed to travel to Spain for his medical with Atletico Madrid.
On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from August 7, 2024.
Chelsea closing in on Victor Osimhen
Chelsea are edging closer to a move for Victor Osimhen this summer, according to journalist Miguel Delaney. The Blues are engaged in negotiations with Napoli, and although talks have been complicated, a breakthrough is in sight.
The 25-year-old has a €130 million release clause in his deal, which the London giants are unlikely to exercise. Instead, Chelsea are exploring the option to including Romelu Lukaku in their offer for the Nigerian.
The Serie A side are open to such arrangements, as new manager Antonio Conte is looking to team up with the Belgian once again this summer. Lukaku is no longer part of plans at Stamford Bridge and will be allowed to leave.
However, Osimhen reportedly wants close to £200,000 per week in wages to move to Stamford Bridge. While the Blues have implemented a strict salary structure at the club recently, they are willing to make an exception for the 25-year-old.
Conor Gallagher exit hits roadblock
Conor Gallagher's proposed move to Atletico Madrid has hit a roadblock due to agent fees, according to journalist Marcos Benito. Chelsea have reportedly agreed a €40 million deal to sell the Englishman to Los Rojiblancos this summer.
Gallagher has entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge and is reluctant to sign a new deal. He was scheduled to travel to Spain for his medical with the La Liga giants this week.
However, it appears that the transfer is stuck due to his agent's commission demands. As a result, the 24-year-old has failed to arrive for his medical, and the move remains uncertain.
Moises Caicedo opens up on tough start to life with Blues
Moises Caicedo has admitted that he lost confidence after a tough start to life at Stamford Bridge. The Ecuadorean midfielder arrived at Chelsea last summer from Brighton & Hove Albion on a reported club record £115 million move.
However, Caicedo failed to live up to the billing and struggled under Mauricio Pochettino. The 22-year-old registered one goal and four assists in 48 games across competitions as the Blues ended the campaign without silverware.
Speaking recently, as cited by The BBC, Caicedo said that he's a lot more settled with the London giants at the moment.
“The beginning was tough for me, because you are at a big club, the price, you always have to win every game. It was tough for me because when I was in Brighton, the pressure is less.
"At Chelsea, it is different. I felt a lot of pressure because you know the club, the history, the players who were there. But after the last four or five months, I felt more comfortable at the club,” said Caicedo.
The Ecuadorean added that Pochettino - who left at the end of last season - also helped him a lot during his initial struggles.
“Yes, (I lost) confidence. I have the quality and I know the player I am. But sometimes if you are not strong in your mind, it is difficult. A lot of people around me helped me – Mauricio and his staff.
"They were with me when I felt like I was not the same Moises. (I asked them). ‘Please help me because I want to show my quality, my football.’ They were with me," said Caicedo.
He continued:
"I have a person outside of the club who helped me a lot to get the pressure out of my mind.
"A guy I speak to regularly told me, ‘Moises, you are a good player. You can do whatever you want on the pitch with responsibility. Just trust in yourself. If Chelsea paid that (much money) for you, it’s because you are a very good player.'”
Caicedo is likely to play a starring role under Enzo Maresca in the upcoming campaign.
