Inter are close to reaching an agreement with the Blues over a loan move for Romelu Lukaku, who only returned to Stamford Bridge for 113 million euros last summer, after increasing their offer from 7.5 million to 10 million euros with add-ons.The possibility of Lukaku leaving Stamford Bridge again came after Thomas Tuchel and Co have decided offloading the Belgian striker is in the best interest of all parties. Once the move is completed – the London Blues will turn their attention to finding a replacement.Lukaku’s departure will likely get the west London club’s summer revamp up and running – and these are some of the players that have been mentioned to either come to Chelsea or leave their ranks.As far as the departures go – the one being ‘most vocal’ about wanting to leave the club in search for more playing time is Marcos Alonso.Inzaghi signed until 2024 with a 50 percent raise and a packed gift – Lukaku arrives for the medicalsBarcelona already snatched Andreas Christensen (to be official) and it does not stop there as the Catalans would like the left wing-back also.When Ben Chilwell is fit and firing the Spaniard is second choice at left wing-back, while Emerson Palmieri’s return from a loan spell at Lyon could also reduce his game time if Tuchel decides to keep the Italy international around next season.Alonso only has a year to run on his current deal and a move to Barca could therefore suit all parties, with only one transfer window remaining for Chelsea to cash in before Alonso will be able to negotiate a free transfer at the turn of the year.’On paper, I have a contract for one more year and that is where we’re at today. I’ve already said that I would like to play in Spain again, but it doesn’t depend entirely on me.’ Alonso said during a recent interview with radio station Onda Cero.’I can’t complain about anything at Chelsea, but the desire to play in Spain is there. It doesn’t depend entirely on me and I’m happy at Chelsea, honestly.’🚨 Marcos Alonso has agreed personal terms with Barcelona. The deal is imminent. Chelsea will look for alternatives. 🇪🇸🔵🔴Inizia ora pic.twitter.com/74xPHlMUHP— Domian Pelegrini (@DomianPelegrini) June 13, 2022 Alonso’s compatriot and position colleague, who is also the captain of the Blues – Cesar Azpilicueta – was also a highly regarded target of the Camp Nou club but the chances of Azpi leaving are slimmer.Like Alonso, Azpilicueta has a year to run on his Blues contract after triggering an extension by making a certain number of appearances in 2021-22 – but Xavi is desperate to lure his compatriot to Catalonia as a replacement for outgoing right-back Dani Alves.The Sun claim Barca are losing patience and have warned him that they will have no option but to turn their attention elsewhere if Azpilicueta does not force a move away from Stamford Bridge.However, after spending a decade with Chelsea that is not in the 32-year-old’s interests, meaning a potential switch is unlikely to be on the cards.And given Tuchel has already lost both Rudiger and Christensen, he cannot afford any more defensive exits in the summer window.🎖| Azpilicueta does not contemplate handing a ‘transfer request’ to Chelsea. Rather than leaving through the back door, Azpi will speed up the negotiations to try to convince the new owners that he has earned the power to decide his future. @RogerTorello #fcblive pic.twitter.com/nv2QEdul76— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) June 19, 2022 Let’s move a bit more upfront, to the heart of the midfield. Chelsea have a host of contract dilemmas on their hands over the next 12 months, and Jorginho is another squad member entering the final year of his deal this summer. Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea are still hoping to tie him down to an extension.Given he is already competing with N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for a place in midfield, Conor Gallagher’s return from a loan stint at Crystal Palace could render Jorginho surplus to requirements. Despite playing a starring role when Tuchel’s side lifted the Champions League in 2021, the former Napoli midfielder has been heavily linked with a return to Italy of late. Juventus are understood to be eyeing a potential deal, meaning Chelsea must decide whether to stick or twist over the coming months.Chelsea are ready to allow Jorginho to move back to Italy this summer.- @GraemeBailey pic.twitter.com/8zDlIBj8IE— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) May 29, 2022 In the attacking third – the grounds are the shakiest. The duo of quick-footed forwards are not living their best footballing life. Captain of the USA national team Christian Pulisic has been showing some indirect signs of eagerness to look for a new environment. Chelsea’s interest in Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele are also not working in his favour.It all shows that Tuchel is not best pleased with the attacking options at his disposal, and Pulisic looks most likely to depart should the former pair arrive this summer.Tuchel only afforded him 13 league starts last term as a result, which The Athletic claim is because he mainly views him as an impact player to bring off the bench. The American got off to an electric start at Stamford Bridge, producing a series of dazzling displays in the 2019/20 campaign, however in recent seasons he has generally flattered to deceive and proved too wasteful in front of goal.Pulisic could therefore be moved on to free up space in attack next season, with both AC Milan and Juventus reportedly keeping tabs on his situation.The Italian clubs are unlikely to match the 67 million euros fee Chelsea spent on him in 2019, but at the age of 23 and with two years to run on his deal they can command a sizeable transfer fee.Frank Lampard on Christian Pulisic pic.twitter.com/s11Kf8AvOi— Pulisicx10 (@Puliszn10) June 12, 2022 Similar to Pulisic, the Germany forward Timo Werner has not been good enough in recent seasons and has failed to live up to the hype since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2020.After playing a key part in their 2021 Champions League triumph Werner was expected to kick on and begin showing why he had emerged as one of the most dangerous attackers in European football at Leipzig, but last season his struggles in front of goal continued.His measly return of 10 goals in 56 Premier League outings is not what he or Chelsea would have been hoping for when they paid 63 million euros to beat Liverpool to his signature.There is not much interest from elsewhere in Werner, whose 16 million euros-a-year wages have deterred Borussia Dortmund from bringing him back to the Bundesliga.Chelsea are open to cutting their losses and selling him should the right offer present itself this summer, according to football.london.Have us the fans been a bit harsh on Timo Werner? His goals per games average is ok compared to our other players. What’s your thoughts on this? pic.twitter.com/RBo21YN9uw— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) June 21, 2022 When talking about arrivals – a number of names come to the forefront. Again, starting from the back line – Chelsea are facing a deficit after losing Antonio Rudiger and Christensen so they need to act fast to patch the holes.In comes the ‘never-ending’ story of Jules Kounde signing for the London Blues. The Frenchman is capable of playing at both center back and right back, has been in Chelsea’s sights for some time, but after failing to meet Sevilla’s asking price last summer they instead decided to promote academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah.Having agreed personal terms with the Premier League side last year, though, Kounde’s preference is still likely to be a move to Chelsea – however, Barcelona appeared as an option.Catalunya Radio claim he is in ‘advanced talks’ to join Barca this summer, meaning Stamford Bridge chiefs need to act swiftly if they are to get their man.🚨 Jules Koundé and his entourage are growing impatient with Chelsea over their hesitancy to improve their offer to Sevilla for him.(Source: @90min_Football) pic.twitter.com/HUDu2UPJ2j— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 20, 2022 Flank defenders are also a question – who will stay, who will go, who will start, who will rue the sitting on the bench. Regardless, Tuchel needs options and one of those is Lens’ wing-back Jonathan Clauss. And according to reports, Chelsea are keeping tabs on France international as they believe he could be a worthy replacement for Azpilicueta.Last year’s Champions League winners showed their evident interest by monitoring the Frenchman during his last 50 club games. Tuchel is said to be a long-term admirer of the 29-year-old from RC Lens – having initially stated his interest in the wing-back when he first arrived at Chelsea.Clauss once spoke about his love for Chelsea, claiming he used to be a Blues supporter as a child. He said: ‘Since I was a kid, It’s Chelsea and it remains Chelsea [the team I dream about playing for].’ The Blues believe the 29-year-old could provide competition for the Chelsea backline and provide ample cover after the Blues struggled to fill the void left by Reece James when he was sidelined last season.The Premier League giants could now acquire his services for as little as 11.5 million euros this summer, according to Goal.🚨Breaking : Chelsea have made initial contact for Jonathan Clauss. – He could replace Azpilicueta – Costs around £10m- He supports Chelsea – Atletico also want him- Signing Clauss could, however, block the pathway of talented academy player Dujon Sterling.🔗Nizaar Kinsella pic.twitter.com/kkNol8WfXy— Mar_ce_lo news (@MrNuworgah) June 21, 2022 As far as refreshing the attack – the transfer market analysts believe that Raheem Sterling and Ousmane Dembele have the biggest chances of joining Chelsea.As things stand Dembele will be leaving Barcelona upon the expiry of his contract in just over a week’s time. Tuchel has identified the France winger, whom he previously worked with at Borussia Dortmund, as a potential target in his bid to strengthen the Blues’ frontline next season.The 25-year-old is expected to wave goodbye to Barca after failing to reach an agreement over a contract extension at the Nou Camp, where he has registered just 32 goals and 34 assists in 150 appearances amid a series of injury and disciplinary problems.According to The Sun, Dembele is seeking reassurances from the Blues boss over his game time in west London, as he does not want to be used sparingly next season.Thomas Tuchel has reportedly contacted Ousmane Dembélé, explaining to him the project, and the fact he seems him as a key player for Chelsea.We are in pole position… ⏳ pic.twitter.com/jPa7G3Mcwf— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) June 13, 2022 The other target, Manchester City winger Sterling has emerged as Chelsea’s biggest transfer target this summer, with Tuchel a huge admirer and therefore keen to add him to his squad.While he started 23 times in City’s title-winning campaign, Sterling was demoted to the bench by Pep Guardiola for a number of key fixtures last season – including their Champions League semi-final ties against Real Madrid – and is therefore weighing up his future at the Etihad.Chelsea believe he would be valued at around 64 million euros by the Premier League champions, who only have the 27-year-old under contract for another year.Tuchel needs to strengthen in attack more than anywhere else given the likes of Pulisic, Werner and Hakim Ziyech have proved too inconsistent in recent seasons, and in Sterling he would be recruiting an experienced Premier League goalscorer who has reached double figures for five seasons running at City. Chelsea’s reported pursuit of Sterling does not necessarily rule out a move for the outgoing Barca star Dembele, with Tuchel in need of more quality in their attacking-midfield slots.Chelsea are growing in confidence that they can complete a deal for Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling ✍️ pic.twitter.com/81Mejh9RFF— SPORTbible (@sportbible) June 19, 2022 On the other hand, there are those who caught the eye of the Chelsea executives but are less certain to end up at Stamford Bridge – Robert Lewandowski and Christopher Nkunku being the most resounding.The Poland international has made it clear he wants to leave Bayern this summer after eight years with the club, and Chelsea are interested in prising him away from Germany.After scoring 50 goals in 46 matches last season he is by no means past the peak of his powers, though at the age of 33 Lewandowski would undoubtedly represent a short-term signing for Tuchel.And again – Barcelona appear as an obstacle. Lewa’s desire to sign for the Catalans is present however it remains to be seen whether the Spanish club can actually afford him amid their financial woes.Thu 01:30: (2.52) Bahia (2.85) Atletico PR (3.10)There is also a minor possibility of snatching Christopher Nkunku. The majority of Chelsea’s success so far under Tuchel has come with a false-nine system in place, yet Kai Havertz is the only player to have truly flourished in that role.An ideal recruit to slot into that setup next season is Nkunku, who enjoyed a spectacular breakthrough season at RB Leipzig in 2021-22 and is now attracting serious interest.However, reports suggest Leipzig have slapped an eye-watering 116-million-euros price tag on him this summer, with the two remaining years on his contract ensuring they can demand a sizeable fee. Thus, breaking the bank for a player with one impressive season under his belt may be too big of a risk for Chelsea.The 24-year-old is also on several other top European sides’ radars after scoring 35 goals in 52 games for Leipzig last year, in turn helping them secure a fourth-placed Bundesliga finish.
