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Football London
Football London
Sport
Kieran Horn

Chelsea transfer news: Mauricio Pochettino switches summer priority as triple announcement close

Your Chelsea transfer round-up on Tuesday, June 20.

Pochettino's new transfer priority

Mauricio Pochettino may have indirectly changed Chelsea's entire summer transfer plans with just one key decision. Kepa Arrizabalaga's future at Stamford Bridge has been heavily up for debate with his mixed displays last season making a summer departure possible.

However, Chelsea boss Pochettino appears to have made a decision about his immediate future that will in turn see Chelsea's plans this summer change considerably.

According to the Evening Standard, Pochettino believes, along with goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez, he can take Kepa to the next level. The report also adds that the Argentine's willingness to deploy Kepa as the No1 has shifted Chelsea's transfer strategy with a back-up option likely to be secured.

With further funds available, Chelsea can look to bolster their ranks further up the pitch with key additions. Andre Onana was a target in between the sticks but the £50million price tag was deemed too high by the Blues and with that money not being spent on a goalkeeper, Chelsea could use it to meet Brighton's £100million valuation for Moises Caicedo.

READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news LIVE: Kai Havertz to Arsenal, Kylian Mbappe contact, Pochettino fire sale

Triple Chelsea announcement close

Chelsea's mass squad clear out looks set to take a significant step forward with three summer departures close. Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount all appear close to the exit door but Hakim Ziyech, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy could be the first names to leave.

All three are in talks to arrive in the Saudi Arabian league with Ziyech agreeing personal terms to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr. Koulibaly has also agreed on his contract with Al Hilal with a first bid said to be between €25-30m (£21.3-£25.6m), according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Mendy meanwhile, looks set to sign a three-year contract with Al Ahli. The trio will join N'Golo Kante in the Middle East after the Frenchman completed his Al Ittihad medical earlier this month to sign a four-year contract worth €100million (£83.5).

Osimhen update

Mauricio Pochettino has been given some hope of signing Victor Osimhen for Chelsea from Napoli this summer. The Nigeria international was integral in Napoli's Scudetto-winning season scoring 26 goals in Serie A with a further five coming in different competitions which in turn has made him a wanted man across Europe.

According to Il Mattino, Napoli have slapped a £150million price tag on Osimhen in an effort to deter interest in his signature and keep hold of him for another season.

However, a slight boost for Chelsea did emerge last week with Il Matino claiming Osimhen was refusing to sign a new deal. The report also went on to state that Roberto Calenda, his agent, recently held a meeting with the club's owner Aurelio De Laurentiis over his future.

However, it seems that De Laurentiis himself has squashed any talk of that with a major contract announcement. As quoted by Calcio Mercato, he said: “We have an agreement in principle to extend the contract for another two years."

Despite his contract claim, Chelsea have been given some hope of an eventual transfer. He added: "I've said for some time that Osimhen must stay, but if an indispensable offer arrives for the health of Napoli we will evaluate."

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