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Chelsea are working to get back to their best under Enzo Maresca, who took charge this summer. Maresca was roped in as Mauricio Pochettino's replacement, with the Argentinean departing after an underwhelming campaign.
Meanwhile, the Blues are interested in Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. Elsewhere, the London giants are yet to agree to a deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on August 2, 2024:
Chelsea eyeing Murillo
Chelsea are keeping a close watch on Murillo, according to journalist Sami Mokbel. The Brazilian defender joined Nottingham Forest from Corinthians last summer and was a hit at the City Ground.
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Murillo registered 36 appearances across competitions, and his efforts have apparently earned him admirers at Stamford Bridge. The Blues bid goodbye to Thiago Silva this summer, who left at the end of his deal.
The 39-year-old was a key figure in the starting XI as well as backroom recently. The club have signed Tosin Adarabioyo as his replacement on a Bosman move. The Englishman is proven in the Premier League with Fulham and could be a fine addition to Maresca's squad.
Moreover, the Italian manager is also close to securing the services of Argentinian defender Aaron Anselmino from Boca Juniors. However, with Trevoh Chalobah's future uncertain, the London giants are eyeing a move for Murillo.
The 22-year-old is under contract with Forest till 2028, so prising him away won't be easy. The Brazilian wants to continue playing regular football at City Ground, although he has expressed a desire to play in the UEFA Champions League.
Blues yet to agree Victor Osimhen deal, says journalist
Victor Osimhen's move to Stamford Bridge this summer could be a complicated affair, according to journalist Dharmesh Sheth. The Nigerian striker signed a new contract with Napoli last December but is likely to be on the move this year.
Maresca is in need of a new striker ahead of the upcoming campaign. Nicolas Jackson hasn't lived up the billing since arriving from Villarreal last summer. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku is expected to be on his way after spending last season on loan at AS Roma.
Osimhen is a long-term target for the Blues, who are in talks to sign him this summer. The 25-year-old is not short of options though, with Paris Saint-Germain apparently on his heels as well.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Sheth insisted that Osimhen's exorbitant release clause is raising doubts about a move this summer.
"It's unclear whether Chelsea would be able to afford what Napoli would want.
"We know that his release clause is over £100m. So the next best thing is to try and negotiate a loan with an obligation to buy, because Napoli will want a guarantee that at some point, Victor Osimhen's move to Chelsea, if it is to be to Chelsea, has got a permanent element to it," said Sheth.
He continued:
"So that's where we are at the moment. There is so much work to do on this deal.
"I've been told it is such a complicated deal to do, but the fact that the two clubs are still in negotiation over it would imply that there is a deal to be done. Whether they can do that deal is a completely different matter."
Recent reports have suggested that Napoli are willing to accept Lukaku as a part of the London giants' offer for Osimhen.
Enzo Maresca opens up on Stamford Bridge move
Enzo Maresca has revealed that he turned down a big club to move to Stamford Bridge this summer. The Italian helped Leicester City win the Championship last season and subsequently secure immediate promotion to the Premier League.
His efforts earned him admirers at multiple clubs in Europe. The Blues parted ways with Pochettino at the end of last season and moved quickly to rope in Maresca. Speaking to The Sun, the Italian said that he was convinced by the London giants' desire to secure his services.
“To be honest, since I finished with Leicester. It was after a few days, a few weeks, Chelsea contacted me. But there was also another important club that contacted me so the summer has been busy," said Maresca.
He continued:
“I decided for Chelsea. First of all because Chelsea were more aggressive. After two or three meetings they were clear.
"The other one was just one or two approaches, and when they saw Chelsea, they asked me: ‘Do we still have time, or is it too late?’ But by then I had already taken my decision.”
Maresca has added multiple new faces to his roster this summer.
