Under the stewardship of Todd Boehly and his consortium, Chelsea has left no expense spared since taking over from Roman Abramovich. With over $600 million already invested in player transfers last term, the Blues are poised to open their coffers once again. Let's run through the latest Chelsea transfer targets and assess how likely they are to land.
Their latest managerial appointment, Mauricio Pochettino, marks the fourth change since the ownership transition. Determined to revive their former glory, Chelsea aims to assemble a squad for the Argentine that is capable of competing for major honours after a disappointing 12th-place finish in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
Unwanted and disgruntled players have been allowed to leave. A host of former talent have been granted exit to the departure lounge at Stamford Bridge, with the following players already exiled from Pochettino’s plans: Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ethan Ampadu, N’Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Abdul Baba Rahman and Tiemoue Bakayoko.
After the lows of last season, Chelsea have the freedom to manoeuvre their squad to Pochettino’s liking, in the hope that the Argentine can resume usual service at Stamford Bridge and get the Blues back to the top. With the financial backing of Boehly paired with the managerial competence of Poch, moves this window could be fundamental to the future of the club.
While the Blues have also welcomed some new faces to west London in a variation of positions, there is still work to be done before Boehly puts his wallet away, let’s take a look at some of Chelsea’s rumoured transfer targets.
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Cole Palmer
With around 24 hours left of the summer transfer period, at the time of writing, pretty much any shortlisted player has a very real chance of being signed. After all, deadline day can often be hectic, and this is one of the Chelsea transfer targets that seems 99% complete. I say this as Cole Palmer has managed to travel to Chelsea to complete a medical on Thursday, August 31st. And this doesn’t happen unless a transfer has already been agreed. However, this one has been kept somewhat on the down low compared to other Chelsea transfer targets, probably because Palmer is such a young signing.
At just 21 years of age, Palmer has plenty to offer too, which is no doubt why he has been a Manchester City man since the beginning. Additionally, the young midfielder/winger has represented England in the U21 team on numerous occasions, scoring 4 goals in 13 matches with the Three Lions on his shirt. As for the actual value of this deal, despite his age, Chelsea has decided to submit a transfer fee of £40 million with £5 million in add-ons.
This shows that Chelsea is serious about Palmer’s long-term role in the squad, yet it remains to be seen whether he will slot directly into the first team. However, I expect that Palmer will get plenty of pitch time this season, even if he isn’t always in the starting 11. I say that because it will take him time to adjust and get used to the pace and physicality of the Premier League, especially since he only made 19 domestic appearances for Man City.
Gabriel Moscardo
If recent reports are true, it seems as though Chelsea are eager to add to their list of signings before the 11 PM deadline on Friday. Specifically, Gabriel Moscardo is the man on their shortlist, and Chelsea has supposedly launched a bid to sign him from Corinthians. Moscardo is a midfielder for the Brazilian team right now, and at just 17 years of age, he has some considerable room for growth in his professional career. Adding to that, he is one of the younger Chelsea transfer targets that seems likely to be signed in time, although the initial bid is an interesting one.
Within the last 24/48 hours, Chelsea has offered Corinthians a fee of £18 million for the teenage Brazilian, which is a vast sum of money for a player so young. This already shows that Chelsea believes in Moscardo’s abilities in the defensive midfield position. However, the interesting part of this deal is that Chelsea has plans to potentially loan Moscardo back to Corinthians for the season. Essentially, this is a way for Chelsea to bring him in for a bargain price, while also facilitating a way for Moscardo to get plenty of pitch time and experience before he becomes a key first-team player.
Of course, should Gabriel Moscardo join Chelsea, he will be in good company in terms of fellow Brazilians. The likes of Thiago Silva and Gabriel will no doubt welcome him with open arms, so this could be a great move for Chelsea and for Moscardo.
Elye Wahi
Born on January 2nd, 2003, Elye Wahi is one of France’s brightest young talents at the moment. The 20-year-old French striker made his first football steps thanks to a small local club called Suresnes. Elye Wahi’s undeniable talent quickly caught the eye of French giants Caen who took him under their wing back in 2016.
However, Wahi made a name for himself with Montpellier’s jersey. He joined the club in 2018 and had to make all the steps before booking first-team football. First, he was tested in the youth teams, then it was Montpellier’s B squad where he showed promise.
Ever since 2020, Elye Wahi has been a vital part of Montpellier. He made a total of 84 appearances for the club, scoring on 32 occasions. Elie Wahi’s 2022/23 campaign was his best one yet. The French player scored 19 goals and supplied teammates with three assists in 33 Ligue 1 games.
That’s exactly the sort of player that American businessman Todd Boehly wants on his team. Ever since Boehly took over, Chelsea have spent almost €1b in transfer fees. However, the Blues from London would really like to strengthen the attack with Elye Wahi’s purchase.
The 20-year-old finisher has a shocking €35m release clause. According to rumors, Chelsea have offered Montpellier £23m for Wahi’s signature, but the club finally got a taste of its own medicine, as Wahi snubbed the rejected proposal. He seems more eager to boost West Ham’s ranks instead.
Bradley Barcola
Olympique Lyon have a gem on their team. His name? Bradley Barcola. The 20-year-old French superstar is just as good as Elye Wahi and it’s no wonder why Chelsea have their eyes on him. Barcola has been a part of Olympique Lyon ever since he was eight years old. He became the footballer he is today thanks to Olympique Lyon’s state-of-the-art youth facilities.
As a result, Bradley Barcola reached the A-team in 2021. During the 2022/23 season, Bradley Barcola made a total of 26 Ligue 1 appearances. His display will be remembered with five goals, eight assists, and three yellow cards.
There’s no denying that there’s a bright future ahead of Barcola. However, this was Bradley’s first decent season in his professional career. Some might say Todd Boehly is jumping the gun on this one.
Todd Boehly is determined on having the best players in the World on his team. That’s why the club-to-club talks intensified in recent days. Bradley Barcola has a £35m release clause, that could prove problematic for the Blues from London. According to speculations, Chelsea have offered a little bit more for Laurent Blanc’s favorite player.
What’s interesting about these talks is that Chelsea are ready to make a player-plus-cash exchange for Bradley Barcola. Laurent Blanc might be more inclined to accept such an offer, as there’s plenty of talent in London to pick from.
Djordje Petrovic
Ever since Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami, Major League Soccer has received a lot of attention. American businessman Todd Boehly is more than eager to shop local, as New England Revolution have a wonderful player on their team that Chelsea’s boss would love to bring to Stamford Bridge.
We are talking about goalkeeper-in-chief Djordje Petrovic – one of coach Bruce Arena’s top assets. The goalkeeping position is one that could definitely use strengthening. The two key goalkeepers for Chelsea in the last two seasons were Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy. However, Arrizabalaga was send on a season-long loan at Estadio Bernabeu following Thibaut Courtois’ horrible injury, while Edouard Mendy began his Saudi Pro League adventure with Al-Ahli.
Todd Boehly was quick to bring talent to the team, as Brighton’s Robert Sanchez was swiftly brought to the team after a massive £25m deal. Backup goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is injured and will miss the next couple of weeks for the team, leaving 20-year-old youngster Bergstorm as the only viable option to replace Sanchez if needed.
Todd Boehly is willing to break the bank for Djordje Petrovic. Moreover, experts say this deal has the potential to smash the highest-paid transfer fee for a Major League Soccer player. We are talking about an offer orbiting around the €30m price range. Club-to-club talks have yet to begin, but if Boehly operates as swiftly as before, we should see Petrovic strut his stuff at Stamford Bridge sooner rather than later.
Moises Caicedo
Despite the many moves made through the doors both ways at Stamford Bridge this summer, one name has dominated the club’s transfer talk, with that name being Moises Caicedo.
The Blues were said to be eyeing the midfielder at the same time as Arsenal in January, where the Ecuadorian opted to sign a new deal with the Seagulls with the desire to depart in the summer.
Moises Caicedo did NOT train with Brighton today and picked up his things from the club. He wants to play for Chelsea.
– @marqoss
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) August 7, 2023
Chelsea have had several bids for the 21-year-old turned down, with the highest offer said to be in the region of £80m, £20m short of Brighton’s valuation of their midfielder. The news will continue to circulate as it’s not certain as to whether Pochettino’s side have given up on their pursuit for a player that would undoubtedly bolster the midfield.
Tyler Adams
Another name that is said to be of interest to Pochettino is Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams. The 24-year-old arrived in the Premier League last summer from RB Leipzig and impressed in his first spell in England, despite suffering relegation at Elland Road.
While the Whites’ demotion to the Championship was bad enough, the United States international has a £20m relegation release clause in his contract, a fee that Chelsea are rumoured to want to cash in on.
Deployed to similar effect as Caicedo, Adams could be a player to watch this summer in what would be a strong acquisition for the Blues to chase should they fail to land the Brighton star.
Michael Olise
Another player that is rumoured to be in the eye of Pochettino is Crystal Palace star Michael Olise, who after weeks of speculation, looks like he could venture to west London this summer.
The versatile 21-year-old made a huge impact to Palace’s season last term, scoring two goals and registering an impressive 11 assists in the Premier League, making it clear as to why Chelsea are chasing the Frenchman.
Reports have claimed that the Londoners have agreed personal terms with the youngster, who is said to be the subject of a £26m bid. Considering the sales that Chelsea have already made this summer, the 21-year-old could be the perfect addition to thrive in the Argentine’s new-look squad.
Deivid Washington
Also reported to be on the cusp of making Stamford Bridge home is Brazilian forward Deivid Washington, who currently plays for Santos in his homeland. It’s speculated that the 18-year-old will join the Blues in a deal worth around the €20m (£17m) mark, with the intention for him to immediately be loaned to Strasbourg to gain sufficient development.
The youngster has only made 16 appearances at senior level for Santos, however the striker could follow the path of fellow Brazilian’s that have arrived at the club and one day thrive in the capital.
Dusan Vlahovic
A more established forward, Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is a player rumoured to be of interest to Chelsea. The 23-year-old was captured by the bianconeri from Fiorentina in January 2022 after making the headlines in Italy for his prolific nature in front of goal.
Taking Juventus’ financial situation into consideration, the club could offload a host of talent this summer with no player expected to be safe from the exit. For Chelsea, it could be the ideal time to swoop for the striker, who at just 23 has already netted 61 Serie A goals in his career.
While Christopher Nkunku has arrived to lead the line in place of offloaded forwards Kai Havertz and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the addition of a forward as deadly in the final third as Vlahovic could take Chelsea to the next level.
