Chelsea transfer window guide: Jamie Gittens, Viktor Gyokeres and Enzo Maresca's busy summer plans | OneFootball

Blues target big signings ahead of return to Champions League next season

Instead, Chelsea will prioritise improving their first XI, which is especially important ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.

Top priority

Co-owner Behdad Eghbali and co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley have always seen a new No9 as the priority this summer.

Sporting hitman Viktor Gyokeres is one of the striker options being considered by Chelsea

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Chelsea have moved swiftly and efficiently to sign Liam Delap from Ipswich by triggering his relegation release clause of just £30m.

Delap scored 12 league goals, two more than Nicolas Jackson, despite Ipswich’s struggles and was on Chelsea's radar throughout the season.

They plan to also sign another striker if, as expected, Christopher Nkunku leaves, though Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike and Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen appear too pricey.

What else they need

There has been as much churn in the wide positions as anywhere on the pitch at Chelsea over recent windows, and that could continue with further incomings and outgoings expected.

Chelsea want to sign a winger before the Club World Cup starts in a fortnight. They are exploring a deal to sign the England Under-21 international Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, who would cost in the region of £50m.

Chelsea are considering a move for Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Gittens

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The Blues are also in the market for a goalkeeper after deciding that Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic will be allowed to leave if there is interest in either player for the right price.

Possible ins

The other position Chelsea hope to strengthen is centre-back, where Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga are both out of favour and spent time out on loan this season.

Marc Guehi joined Crystal Palace from Chelsea in 2021 but the Blues are now interested in re-signing him.

England international Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton and Ajax teenager Jorrel Hato are also of interest.

Strikers Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are both targets but also wanted by leading Premier League rivals. Alejandro Garnacho is set to leave Manchester United and is liked.

RB Leipzig Benjamin Sesko is another striker option

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Brazilian winger Estevao Willian joins Chelsea this summer now that he has turned 18, and midfielder Dario Essugo, 20, is also in the building.

Possible outs

A raft of players could leave the club this summer.

Nkunku is expected to depart, and there is no future at the club for Raheem Sterling.

Plenty of players out of favour are also available to be sold, defenders Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi. One goalkeeper could leave.

Joao Felix spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan and could also leave.

The futures at Chelsea of midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are in doubt.

Chelsea are paying a £5m penalty fee to send Jadon Sancho back to Manchester United after his loan spell.