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Chelsea are expected to continue their spending spree this summer after another disappointing campaign. The Blues finished sixth in the Premier League in a trophyless season and have since replaced manager Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca.
Meanwhile, the London giants are the favourites to sign Rennes forward Desire Doue. Elsewhere, the club are unlikely to move for Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi this summer.
On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on July 15, 2024:
Chelsea leading race for Desire Doue
Chelsea are among the favourites to win the race for Desire Doue, according to L'Equipe. The French forward was in impressive form for Rennes last season, registering four goals and six assists in 43 games across competitions.
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The Blues are in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer and are eyeing multiple candidates for the job. Doue is also a target, but prising him away won't be easy.
Rennes want €60 million for the 19-year-old and have already turned down Bayern Munich's €35 million offer. Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain are also in the race for the Frenchman.
Blues unlikely to target Karim Adeyemi, says journalist
Chelsea are not eyeing a move for Karim Adeyemi this summer, according to club insider Simon Phillips. Recent reports have suggested that the German forward has turned heads at Stamford Bridge.
Adeyemi endured a difficult 2023-24 campaign with Borussia Dortmund, scoring just five goals and setting up two in 34 games across competitions. However, the 22-year-old's stock remains high, and he's being eyed by multiple clubs this summer.
Maresca is also in the market for attacking additions, with the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke failing to impress last season. Mareseca had set his sights on Michael Olise, but the Frenchman opted to join Bayern Munich instead.
Recent reports have suggested that the Blues have turned to Adeyemi as an option. The German forward is under contract at Signal Iduna Park till 2027 but couldreportedly be allowed to leave this year.
However, in his Substact column, Simons rubbished rumours linking the player to Stamford Bridge as agent talk.
“As for Karim Adeyemi from Dortmund, SPTC sources have said this is more just agent talk for now and there is a slim chance that Chelsea end up going for him,” wrote Phillips.
Adeyemi will reportedly only move to a club that could offer him UEFA Champions League football next season.
Former player heaps praise on Marc Cucurella
England legend Gary Lineker believes Chelsea have failed to get the best out of Marc Cucurella. The Spanish left-back was a revelation for his nation in their triumphant Euro 2024 campaign in Germany.
Cucurella endured a mixed 2023-24 campaign at Stamford Bridge. Initially deemed surplus to requirements, the 25-year-old was close to joining Manchester United on loan last summer, but the deal broke down, and he ended up staying.
The Spaniard eventually forced his way back into Mauricio Pochettino's team, securing one goal and two assists in 26 games across competitions. Cucurella's inclusion in Luis de la Fuente's Spain squad was widely questioned, but the player proved his naysayers wrong.
With Ben Chilwell struggling with fitness and form and Ian Maarten gone, Cucurella's fortunes could change under Maresca. The Spaniard is under contract with the Blues till 2028, and recent reports say that the Red Devils are eyeing him with interest again.
On The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker was full of praise for the 25-year-old.
“He’s had a really tough time at Chelsea. He’s come here, and some people were doubting him. But he was like a machine in this team," said Lineker.
He continued:
“If you are comfortable in a certain system and playing a certain way and then you are asked to play in a different way like perhaps he has been at Chelsea because the club is a bit of a mess – then suddenly you’re uncomfortable.”
Aleix Pique, Cucurella's agent, recently said that the Spaniard wants to stay with the London giants.
