latest Chelsea transfer rumours, with the latest on Benjamin Sesko, looked through fresh football.london perspective
When Enzo Maresca inevitably sets himself up at Cobham as the new head coach at Chelsea, one of the first questions he’ll want to answer is how much transfer budget he has to play with this summer.
Despite finishing sixth in the Premier League, the Blues squad requires some TLC if they are to kickstart the new era under Maresca in the best fashion. In a perfect world, Chelsea will sign a new goalkeeper, centre-back, holding midfielder, and striker. But FFP will have something to say about that.
Under Maresca, a new goalkeeper and striker are all but certain to arrive. The quality of said players is not yet decided, but the Italians will be desperate to get any new faces through the door sooner rather than later.
So with that being said, fooball.london takes a look at the latest transfer news involving the Blues and adds a different perspective to them.
Martinez contract dispute
Lautaro Martinez is a name that seems to be linked with a move to the Premier League every summer and this year is no different. After leading Inter Milan to the Serie A title with 24 goals, the Argentine is facing more uncertainty.
Spanish outlet Fichajes has claimed that tensions over his contract in Milan have led to Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain registering an interest. He currently has two years left to run on his current deal, but with two clubs desperate for a new striker, a move could occur this summer.
football.london says: “Martinez is one of the players that I would love to see move to the Premier League. After years of gossip, could this be the year? I doubt it, but Chelsea’s dedicated attempt at returning to the top could nudge any move.
“His goalscoring record speaks for itself, and he is the perfect profile for what Maresca desires from his strikers. Fast, powerful, good link-up play, and smart off-the-ball runs. However, he’s valued at €100 million (£85 million) by the CIES Football Observatory, and Inter are extremely unlikely to accept that sort of fee.
“PSG are probably more desperate for a new striker after Kylian Mbappe’s exit, so his signature may prove difficult to secure.”
Sesko makes choice
In an expected turn of events, Benjamin Sesko has supposedly said yes to a move to Arsenal this summer instead of Chelsea. RB Leipzig has a £45 million release clause and it seems that the Gunners will land him.
It does mean Chelsea will have to accept defeat and look elsewhere.
football.london says: “This one was always going to be a difficult one considering the interest from Champions League clubs. Sesko is a talented forward, but he would be another potential signing that Chelsea have become renowned for over the years.
“In all honesty, they need someone to come in and do the job instantly, like Martinez. Sesko is a proper striker and has everything going for him to become a great forward, but he isn’t the sort of profile needed at Stamford Bridge right now.
“The striker search needs Maresca’s input before a decision is made. Jamie Vardy, anyone?”