Chelsea could likely come out the other side of the summer transfer window with more outgoing deals than arrivals.
The Blues usually start every pre-season with a larger squad than most Premier League teams – mainly because every member of their loan army have returned for training at Cobham before their futures are sorted.
That hasn’t exactly been the case this summer as Fikayo Tomori, Victor Moses, Marco van Ginkel, Danilo Pantic, Izzy Brown, WIlly Caballero and Jamal Blackman were all either sold or released ahead of pre-season training beginning.
Meanwhile, the likes of Olivier Giroud, Marc Guehi and Lewis Bate have all also left in the past 10 days or so.
What those deals have done is raise significant funds that could be used to tempt Borussia Dortmund into selling £150million-rated star striker Erling Haaland this summer.
But whether Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia is able to bolster Thomas Tuchel’s squad with a new centre-forward remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the Blues are working on sealing their first signing of the summer.
According to the Daily Mail, the west London outfit are set to complete the signing of former Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, on a free transfer.
Furthermore, it is claimed that the 29-year-old is due to complete his medical and sign for the club in the next 48 hours after agreeing to sign a two-year deal with the Champions League holders.
The summer window is officially open and now the Blues can look to build on European glory and bolster the squad to push for Premier League supremacy.
By signing up to the Chelsea newsletter here, you’ll be receiving the latest news and rumours directly, as well as exclusive articles and content from club writers Sam Inkersole and Adam Newson, all for free!
And if you want to take part in the debate in the comments and join in with the Q&As to get your questions answered, create an account here, because we want to hear from you too.
However, it could be a case of one in and one out at Stamford Bridge once Bettinelli is signed, sealed and delivered.
This is because reports in Turkey, as per Chelsea-News, claim that Chelsea have given the ‘green light’ to let striker Michy Batshuayi join Trabzonspor.
Although, it’s unclear clear as to whether it would be a permanent transfer or yet another loan deal for the Belgium international.
With the Blues in action against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening, if Batshuayi is not involved at the Vitality Stadium it could be a sign that he’s not in Tuchel’s plans for the new season.
The 27-year-old striker joined from Marseille in 2016, but has made just 77 appearances in all competitions, scoring 25 goals.
Do you want an exclusive pre-season Chelsea preview – both in your inbox and through your letterbox? Head over here to find out more and secure your copy!