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Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca as their new manager this summer. The Italian has added multiple new faces to his squad but is planning for further changes before the end of the transfer window.
Meanwhile, the Blues are engaged in talks with Napoli to secure the services of striker Victor Osimhen this year. Elsewhere, Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher has turned down a new contract from the London giants.
On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on August 1, 2024:
Chelsea in talks for Victor Osimhen, says Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea are locked in talks to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, according to acclaimed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Nigerian striker is a sought-after man this year following his exploits with Napoli.
The Blues are on the hunt for a new No. 9, with Romelu Lukaku expected to leave. Osinhem is a long-term target for the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, and they remain on his tail this summer.
Recent reports have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain are also eyeing a move for the 25-year-old. Osimhen apparently prefers a move to the Parc des Princes, but his €130 million release clause is posing a problem.
On his YouTube channel, Romano added that the London giants have a genuine interest in the Nigerian striker.
“I can also confirm that Napoli and Chelsea have been talking in the last 24–48 hours, an exclusive story from yesterday.
"Then today, we had several reports, and the agent of Victor Osimhen ... spoke on his social media accounts. He is an Italian agent, Roberto Calenda, and in that statement, he announced that Victor Osimhen is not considering a move on loan," said Romano.
He continued:
“He didn't deny the story about Chelsea, because it's the reality. The interest from Chelsea is something that we mentioned yesterday on all the platforms, even here on the channel, but he denied the possibility of a loan move for Victor Osimhen.”
Recent reports have suggested that Napoli are willing to consider Lukaku as part of an offer for Osimhen.
Conor Gallagher turns down renewal offer
Conor Gallagher has turned down a second renewal offer to stay at Stamford Bridge, according to The Athletic. The Englishman is in the final year of his contract and has generated attention from clubs across the continent.
Tottenham Hotspur are long-term admirers of the 24-year-old and have been eyeing him all summer. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is reportedly a huge fan of the Englishman and sees him as an ideal fit in his tactics.
Gallagher rose through the ranks at Chelsea and was indispensable under Mauricio Pochettino last season. His exit could be registered as pure profit in the books, which makes his departure a lucrative prospect.
However, the Blues consider him a part of their plans and would prefer him to stay. Their initial renewal offer was rejected by the 24-year-old, and they have now returned with an improved proposal. Gallagher has been offered a three-year deal that would place him among the best earners at the club.
However, the Englishman had turned down the offer. The player is also wanted at Atletico Madrid, who have a €40 million agreement in place with the London giants regarding a move this summer. But Gallagher is yet to make a decision regaring the transfer.
Former player slams Blues' transfer policy
Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has slammed the club for their youth-centric transfer policy. The Blues have altered their strategy to focus on younger talents in recent transfer windows.
Apart from Tosin Adarabioyo, who joined as a free agent, all of Maresca's signings this summer have been below the age of 26. The London giants have found little success with the strategy so far, with Pochettino failing to get the most out of a young squad last season.
Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League and failed to win a trophy, with Pochettino getting the sack. Expectations are high from Maresca as well, but Leboeuf believes the Italian manager cannot make much of a difference with the current squad.
Speaking to Instant Casino, the Frenchman said that his former club need experienced players to get them back to glory.
"Some fans think Chelsea can just start from scratch next season, but it won’t really be starting from scratch after spending a billion pounds. The club can do whatever they want with their money but as a former player, I think it’s kind of a disgrace to see what we are seeing," said Leboeuf.
He continued:
"The talent is there in the squad but you don’t have many leaders or players you can rely on, that’s the biggest problem Enzo Maresca has. It’s possible that Chelsea can win a cup, like the FA Cup this season potentially, but never the Premier League. No way."
He concluded:
"If they keep going the way they’re going then they will never win a Premier League title again, they need experience.
"It just won’t work. When I arrived at the club they had been waiting 26 years for a trophy and that only came to an end when experienced winners arrived."
Thiago Silva's departure as a free agent this summer could also be a big loss for the Blues.
