Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues eyeing Newcastle ace, club face Arsenal competition for Crystal Palace star, and more - June 27, 2024

Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League in the 2023/24 campaign and subsequently parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino. Enzo Maresca was roped in as the Argentinean's replacement and took charge at Stamford Bridge at the start of this month.

Meanwhile, the Blues are interested in Alexander Isak. Elsewhere, Arsenal are the favorites in the race to sign a Crystal Palace forward.

On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer news from June 27, 2024.

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Chelsea eyeing Alexander Isak

Alexander Isak

Chelsea have enquired about a possible move for Alexander Isak this summer, according to The Daily Mail. Isak has seen his stock touch the sky following an impressive 2023/24 campaign with Newcastle United.

The Swedish striker scored 25 goals and set up two more from 40 games across competitions. He will certainly be an upgrade on Nicolas Jackson at Stamford Bridge and the club are eager to secure his signature.

However, the Magpies have no desire to let Isak leave and have informed the Blues that the 24-year-old will cost a fortune this summer. The London giants will have to offer more than the club record £115m they paid for Moises Caicedo to get Isak.

Blues face Arsenal competition for Eberechi Eze, says journalist

Eberechi Eze

Arsenal are leading the race to sign Eberechi Eze this summer, according to journalist Simon Phillips. The English forward caught the eye with Crystal Palace in the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 11 goals and setting up six more in 31 games.

Eze is currently with the Three Lions squad at Euro 2024, while speculation is ripe regarding his future. Enzo Maresca is expected to upgrade his attack this summer, with Noni Madueke and Mykhaylo Mudryk hardly inspiring confidence.

The Englishman could be an upgrade on the duo and his versatility could also be an asset for the Blues.

However, in his column on Substack, Phillips added that multiple clubs are eyeing the player this summer.

“Arsenal are ‘seriously interested’ in signing Eze, and they are looking to move out players like Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson on to make room and get Eze in. However, sources also say that pretty much every top club in Europe is now looking at and considering Eze, including Chelsea and Liverpool,” wrote Phillips.

Simons went on to add that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are not convinced that Eze matches the profile they are seeking right now.

"SPTC sources say that a lot of people at Chelsea like the England international. However, he is seen as a more of a 10 than a winger, and Chelsea are targeting a winger more than a 10. Of course, Eze can and does play as a winger too, and he is very versatile. So Chelsea’s interest in him could push on and become more solid,” wrote Phillips.

He continued:

“But at the moment, the interest is more tentative than anything else and nothing has advanced or moved forward on it as of Wednesday morning. Lets see if Chelsea decide to step up on Eze or not, but they are also looking at other winger options as higher up on the shortlist at the moment, and it is Arsenal who are pushing the most for him.”

The 25-year-old is under contract at Selhurst Park until 2027.

Romelu Lukaku future could depend on Victor Osimhen move, says Fabrizio Romano

Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku could permanently leave Stamford Bridge this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Belgian striker enjoyed a decent 2023/24 campaign on loan at AS Roma, racking up 21 goals and four assists from 47 games across competitions.

However, the 31-year-old isn't part of plans at Stamford Bridge and the club are looking to let him go. Lukaku isn't short of options either and is being heavily courted by clubs from the Middle East.

Recent reports have suggested that Napoli manager Antonio Conte wants the Belgian as Osimhen's replacement if the Nigerian striker leaves. Meanwhile, rumour has it that AC Milan are plotting a loan move for the 31-year-old.

However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano insisted that the Blues want to offload Lukaku permanently this summer.

“If Napoli do sell Osimhen, we may then also get a clearer idea about the future of Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea. For now there is no substantial update on Lukaku, but Chelsea insist on their intention to sell Lukaku and not to accept any loan now, so the situation is still the same, and it won’t be changing. It will take time and it will depends on clubs’ strategy,” wrote Romano.

Lukaku is under contract with the London giants until 2026.