This time next week Chelsea will be preparing to take on Liverpool in their first game of the 2023/24 season.
The Blues are still searching for a number of reinforcements, with Moises Caicedo, Dusan Vlahovic, Mohammed Kudus and Michael Olise have all been linked with a move to west London.
Chelsea are on course to miss out on Kudus, though. Reports on Saturday claimed the Ajax man was edging closer to a move to Brighton after the Seagulls reached an agreement in principle with the Dutch side.
The disappointment of missing out on Kudus may open the door to securing the signing of Olise. The Palace man has a £35million release clause at Selhurst Park, with Manchester City also keen.
After completing the signing of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton, focus will now divert to other areas ahead of next month’s deadline.
So, with that being said, stay with us at soccerhuz.com we bring you all the latest news, updates and transfer gossip LIVE from Stamford Bridge!
Caicedo absence
Sky Sports report that Moises Caicedo will not be in the squad for Brighton this afternoon as they face Rayo Vallecano.
It is said that the midfielder is being left out in order to focus on their opening day fixture with Luton.
Chelsea fans may well be hoping there’s another strand to this story.
Maatsen impact
Chelsea could save themselves a large chunk of money this summer as they prepare to offer Ian Maatsen a new contract.
The youngster is able to play in a variety of positions and has shown himself to be more than capable of operating in attack as well as defence.
As the Blues look to put together a package for Moises Caicedo, Maatsen’s emergence could prove to be vital.
Mbappe decision
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that PSG will make a decision as to if Mbappe plays any part in their first team activities during the 2023/24 season next week.
He wrote for CaughtOffside: “There were new rumours on Saturday that Paris Saint-Germain are prepared to bench or even exclude Kylian Mbappe from their squad for the first games of the new season; whilst also continuing their current plan of making the superstar train away from the main group of players.”
Vlahovic talks speed up
Chelsea are set to speed up negotiations with Juventus over a move for Dusan Vlahovic next week, reports in Italy suggest.
The Blues are said to be pushing to reduce the cash sum they would pay in a swap deal that sees Romelu Lukaku go the other way to Turin but the Old Lady are keen on at least £25million.
Madrid want James
Yes, that’s right, Real Madrid are still going in for Reece James according to reports in Spain.
It is said that they will not go for him this summer and instead have planned a move in 2024.
Madrid were keen on James last year before he signed a bumper new deal keeping him at the club for the best part of the next
