Chelsea could have to offload Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson before proceeding with a summer signing, with talks believed to be advanced for another player who has also agreed personal terms.
Enzo Maresca’s side have zero trouble financially, having made millions off their previous transfer sales this window, alongside the Blues’ windfalls from qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Club World Cup.
They’re estimated to have raised nearly £220 million through outgoings alone, with Chelsea’s CWC triumph yielding £87.5 million in prize money and their Champions League riches tipped to be around £80 million just from qualifying.
Having spent nearly £280 million on new signings, including their pre-agreed summer deals, Chelsea have actually registered a net profit over the last few months – so BlueCo are in excellent stead when it comes to the Premier League’s PSR rules.
However, the same cannot be said for UEFA’s separate FFP laws.
Chelsea reached a settlement with UEFA last month after being in breach of these regulations, and as part of the agreement, Maresca’s side must produce a positive transfer balance by September – or they won’t be able to register new players to their A-list Champions League squad.
Simply put, the west Londoners have to agree just as many outgoings as incomings to balance out their books.
Chelsea have already sold Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu, with both Jackson and Nkunku tipped to potentially follow.
Chelsea are ready to sell Jackson amid reports that he’ll cost around £60 million, while the same can be said of Nkunku as Chelsea reduce his asking price to around £40 million.
This £100m fire sale could be key to the club signing Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
Chelsea plot Nkunku and Jackson sale before formalising Garnacho deal
Jacobs, writing for GiveMeSport, claims that Chelsea may look to sell Jackson and Nkunku before formalising a deal for Garnacho.
The Argentine has already agreed personal terms with Maresca’s side and talks are at an advanced stage, with the Argentine now simply waiting for United and Chelsea to reach a full agreement.
The Red Devils want a minimum £50 million to sell Garnacho, but both sides expect to shake hands on a deal before the window slams shut in just over a fortnight.
Right now, Chelsea are focused on outgoings, hence why they could bide their time before completing this move, as Maresca plots to get Jackson and Nkunku out the door first.
Amidst all of this, Chelsea are still trying to reach an agreement with RB Leipzig over Xavi Simons, with the Dutchman also agreeing terms and patiently watching on in the hope that both sides can find middle ground.
“He has a lot of personality, he doesn’t give up and he’s always on the ball. He never gives up in one-on-one situations,” said former Barcelona forward Javier Saviola about Garnacho.
“Now he’s adding goals to his game, something he was lacking a bit before, and he’s appearing closer to the box.”