Chelsea are running out of time. With the transfer window closing on Monday, the club still have five major deals to resolve. At the top of the list is their ambitious chase for Alejandro Garnacho, the Argentine winger who has grown restless at Manchester United.
It has already been a summer of sweeping change at Stamford Bridge. Manager Enzo Maresca has welcomed the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap, while letting go of players who didn’t fit his plans. Noni Madueke, Joao Félix and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have all moved on. Chelsea have made a steady start in the league, collecting four points from their opening two matches. Maresca now wants the finishing touches that could turn early promise into a genuine title run.
Garnacho at the centre of attention
The headline pursuit is Garnacho. At 21, the winger has been training away from the main United squad and appears keen on a new start. Chelsea are believed to have offered players in part-exchange to soften United’s £50 million valuation. Whether United will bend before the deadline remains uncertain.
Simons another priority
Chelsea are also pushing hard for Xavi Simons, the Dutch forward who has lit up the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig. At just 22, he has already recorded 18 goals and 20 assists across two seasons. Reports suggest personal terms are agreed, but the sticking point is Leipzig’s asking price, which is thought to exceed £60 million.
Who could leave
For Chelsea to bring in both Garnacho and Simons, departures are just as important. Nicolas Jackson, who scored 10 league goals last season, has slipped down the pecking order. Bayern Munich and Aston Villa are circling, with a loan deal and obligation to buy under discussion.
Christopher Nkunku’s time at Stamford Bridge also looks in doubt. The French forward has struggled for minutes and may return to RB Leipzig, a move that could smooth Chelsea’s negotiations for Simons.
Nineteen-year-old Tyrique George is another possible departure. Roma are leading the race for his signature after United rejected an earlier proposal to include him in a swap for Garnacho.
Maresca’s balancing act
Maresca has spoken openly about the need to balance his squad. “We cannot carry players who are not part of the project. Some will leave, and some may arrive. That’s the reality of football,” he told reporters this week.
The next few days will decide whether Chelsea’s board can deliver the players he wants. If Garnacho and Simons arrive, Stamford Bridge could feel like a new home for two of Europe’s brightest young forwards. If not, the Blues may find themselves short of firepower in a season that already feels full of promise.
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