Chelsea monitor Enzo Fernandez replacements ahead of busy end to summer transfer window | OneFootball

New approach from Manchester City has not been ruled out, with two possible replacements mooted

A busy transfer window for Chelsea is eight days from drawing to a close — but it is far from finished.

The Blues remain active in the window, largely in a selling capacity, after a summer of spending that includes the headline signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for £117million.

Chelsea have also recruited Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, Marco Palestra, Pep Chavarria and Maxence Lacroix.

As well as this, a number of pre-arranged transfers added to the incomings, with Valentin Barco, Emmanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda and Dastan Satpayev all also joining. Satpayev has since been loaned to Burnley.

Here, Standard Sport takes a look at the transfer business Chelsea are still yet to complete before the 11pm deadline on September 1.

Xabi Alonso

AFP/Getty

What do Chelsea need?

In their own eyes, not very much. Chelsea are very settled with their squad after a summer of spending and are pretty content to head into the summer as they are.

Another signing has not been ruled out by the club, but Chelsea’s sporting directors are pleased with the business they have completed.

The Enzo Fernandez saga is not totally done. Chelsea’s arbitrary deadline passed earlier this month without any bids, but Manchester City do remain interested and a fresh approach cannot be ruled out despite Chelsea’s £120million asking price expected to rise as September 1 approaches.

Chelsea are aware of this possibility and are monitoring the market for potential replacements for Fernandez. Their demands to sell the Argentine will rise as they, in turn, fear having to overpay for Fernandez’s replacement given how late in the transfer window they would be signing a leading midfield player.

Who could they sign?

Chelsea are linked with names all the time. Big clubs always are. The latest is Juventus winger Francisco Conceicao, as a possible replacement if Pedro Neto leaves. But Chelsea are not in advanced talks to sign anyone at present.

There are some Chelsea supporters still unconvinced with the club’s two goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders, but the club are happy with the duo and are not planning to upgrade between the sticks. They have no interest in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa nor Aston Villa’s wantaway keeper Emi Martinez despite reports.

They will look to sign a top midfielder if they sell Fernandez, but there no guarantee City come in with a big enough offer to make that happen. Chelsea are fond of Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and have also been linked with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton.

Who could they sell?

Chelsea have plenty to do in this department. They are looking to sell Nicolas Jackson and would accept an offer of £65m. The striker has interested parties, not least Aston Villa whose striker Ollie Watkins is said to be open to joining Saudi side Al Hilal.

Centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and striker Liam Delap are also available for sale and are likely to leave, though Chelsea’s £50m asking price for Delap appears high and could prove an obstacle for buying clubs. Everton and Nottingham Forest have previously shown an interest.

Chelsea do not want to sell Neto and value him at nearly £100m, but he has had interest from City, Tottenham and Al Hilal. The Saudi club are working to sign Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Spurs have since reached an agreement to sign Savinho in deals that could have a bearing on those clubs’ pursuit of Neto. Xabi Alonso wants him to stay.

Mamadou Sarr may leave, and Mykhailo Mudryk is available on loan. Despite interest from Italy, his preference is to stay in the Premier League. There is interest from Coventry City and Leeds, though talks with the latter have ended as the terms did not match those demanded by the Blues. Game time is a priority.

Dario Essugo is available for on loan, but there is no guarantee of an exit. Marc Guiu can be sold and his price tag is £25m.