Chelsea are to step up attempts to sign Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig and could sell Nicolas Jackson as they continue to reshape their attacking options.
The club have brought in Liam Delap, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens and moves for Garnacho and Simons are understood to be their priority. Garnacho has played no part in United’s pre-season and is thought to be available for about £50m, although Chelsea are understood to be reluctant to pay that. The Argentina forward is believed to be keen to move to Stamford Bridge after Ruben Amorim made clear the 21-year-old is not part of his plans at Old Trafford.
Chelsea have yet to make an official approach but are likely to do so, with United looking to balance their books as they close on the signing of Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig. Chelsea are in talks with the German side over Simons, who is understood to have agreed personal terms despite interest from Bayern Munich.
The 22-year-old, who can play in several attacking roles, joined Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain in January for €50m after two successful loan spells. He is expected to cost about €70m (£61m) and Leipzig are targeting Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott as a potential replacement.
Jackson is understood to prefer to stay at Chelsea despite the arrivals of Delap and Pedro dropping him down the pecking order, but Chelsea are believed to be willing to sell the Senegal striker for the right price. Newcastle could be an option if, as expected, they miss out on Sesko, and Jackson also has interest from Milan and other Italian clubs but Chelsea could demand £80m.
Chelsea’s 19-year-old Spanish striker Marc Guiu is poised to join Sunderland on loan having completed his medical on Wednesday, and Everton have completed the £28m signing of the midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall on a five-year contract. Burnley are closing in on signing Armando Broja for £20m and are likely to pay a similar fee for Lesley Ugochukwu. Borussia Dortmund are also in talks with Chelsea over a permanent deal for Carney Chukwuemeka, who spent part of last season on loan in Germany.
Chelsea have sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, Djordje Petrovic and João Félix for combined fees that could reach well above £100m. They are also hoping to off-load Raheem Sterling, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal and has been linked with clubs in Turkey, together with Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku and Ben Chilwell.
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The Netherlands defender Jorrel Hato became Chelsea’s latest summer signing when his £37m move from Ajax was confirmed on Sunday.
