We takes a look at what would be the dream week for Chelsea in the transfer market before the Blues take on Luton Town on Friday evening at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are looking to sign Djordje Petrovic and Bradley Barcola before the summer transfer window shuts (Image: Getty Images)
The next few days are expected to be significant for Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
After bringing in Moises Caicedo (£115million) and Romeo Lavia (£58million) last week, the Blues are now looking at two specific areas: a new goalkeeper and another attacking option. The club are on the lookout for a shot-stopper that can challenge Robert Sanchez following the departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga to Real Madrid last week.
Meanwhile, a right winger that can also operate in the middle as a No.10 is also on the club’s radar, football.london understands, after missing out on Michael Olise last week. We now have a few days before Chelsea welcome newly-promoted Luton Town to Stamford Bridge on Friday night and in an ideal world, Mauricio Pochettino will hope there is some sort of business agreed upon before that.
The Blues are now looking at Bradley Barcola from Lyon as an option in attack. The 20-year-old, who has three years remaining on his contract in the south of France, has predominantly been used on the right-hand side of attack at Lyon under manager Laurent Blanc.
Barcola, while being a very direct and exciting dribbler of the ball, also contributes massively in a defensive sense – something that Pochettino likes his attacking players to do. The France Under-21 international is someone Chelsea very much like and are seriously considering a move for but the Blues may face stern competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Brennan Johnson is another attacking option on Chelsea’s radar in the final fortnight of the window. The Wales international could cost in the region of £50million, however, football.london understands. Initial discussions took place towards the end of last week with Nottingham Forest for Johnson, who featured in his team’s 2-1 win against Sheffield United on Friday evening.
With Carney Chukwuemeka the latest to fall victim to injury, following his teammate Christopher Nkunku, Chelsea are now very short of attacking options heading into Friday’s game. In an ideal world, Pochettino would have another attacking player in his ranks before Chelsea take on Luton.
Elsewhere, the club’s search for a new goalkeeper continues following Kepa’s loan move to Real Madrid. New England Revolution shot-stopper Djordje Petrovic is an option for the Blues, who made a £12million offer to the MLS club last week.
It seems New England are already scouring the market for alternative goalkeeping options but are only allowed to sign free agents with the transfer window closed in the United States. Chelsea are set to advance in negotiations for the 23-year-old Serbian goalkeeper in the coming days.
New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is wanted by Chelsea (Image: Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
In terms of outgoings, it looks like Callum Hudson-Odoi is closing in on a move away from the club. Fulham are now the clear front-runners to land the 22-year-old winger on a permanent basis after he informed the Blues that he wishes to leave this summer with less than 12 months left to run on his deal.
Chelsea are still looking for a club to take Romelu Lukaku. The Blues are working closely with the 30-year-old’s representatives to find a solution to suit both parties, football.london understands.
There is interest from Juventus but nothing is advanced in that regard. Multiple clubs from Saudi Arabia have been in contact with Lukaku’s camp but the Belgium international would prefer to stay in Europe to play his football.
If Chelsea can bring in a couple of players – or at least make some serious groundwork – before Luton come to Stamford Bridge, then that would be a weight off Pochettino’s shoulders. Likewise, if unwanted players like Hudson-Odoi and Lukaku can find solutions to their problems, then it will mean there is one less thing to worry about for Chelsea in the remaining fortnight of the window.
Soucre: football.london