Chelsea have been the biggest spenders in the Premier League this summer and they have not finished yet it would seem.
Deals for Barcelona stars Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are being worked upon by by owner Todd Boehly, while the Blues are considering smashing the world transfer record for a defender for Wesley Fofana of Leicester City.
Plus, Conor Gallagher's future for the current campaign is in question once more, while Andreas Christensen, who walked out on a free transfer this summer to join Barcelona, could again be available for nothing this month in a bizarre turn of events.
Here's a look at the latest Chelsea transfer news from across the UK and Europe.
Persuasion needed to turn Barcelona failure into double deal
In an extraordinary summer, the Catalan club have reacted by remortgaging future earnings and going on a spending spree which has so far seen them sign Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde. The French centre-back had agreed to move to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea failed to cut a deal with ex-club Sevilla.
The new signings have yet to be registered with La Liga before Saturday’s league opener against Rayo Vallecano because Barcelona have not yet proved they are fulfilling FFP rules.
That means the Camp Nou club are keen to offload players with De Jong and Aubameyang available. De Jong has still to finalise his departure as he is owed €20m wages deferred during the pandemic.
Spanish daily Sport claims that although coach Xavi wants to keep Aubameyang and the Gabon striker wants to stay, Barcelona directors are ready to listen to all offers to reduce the wage bill. If La Liga fails to accept Barcelona’s accounts before kickoff, chaos could ensure.
Christensen could be available again
Denmark defender Andreas Christensen left Chelsea and agreed a four-deal with Barcelona but if he is not registered before Saturday, Marca claims he and Franck Kessie could leave for free. The Ivory Coast midfielder arrived on a free from Milan this summer. ESPN have also carried the report.
However, it is deemed very unlikely that either man would push to depart the Catalan club.
Gallagher is a wanted man
The on-loan midfielder forced his way into the England squad last season with his outstanding performances for Crystal Palace.
Thomas Tuchel has said he has a role at Chelea this season but The Times reports that the Eagles want Gallagher back for this campaign - and hope a guaranteed first-team role will encourage the 22-year-old to return in World Cup year. West Ham were already interested and now 90min.com reports that Saudi-owned Newcastle have made a bid for Gallagher.
Rodgers tries to convince Fofana to stay
Leicester City have yet to make a signing this summer and have already lost Kasper Schmeichel to Nice while Youri Youri Tielemans and James Maddison are targets of Arsenal and Newcastle respectively. The Foxes have sold well in recent years but do not want to lose Fofana, especially after handing him a new five-year contract earlier this year.
Chelsea have had two bids for Forfana rejected and the Blues might have to beat the £80m world record paid for a defender when Manchester United bought Harry Maguire. The Maguire sale, along with Riyad Mahrez and Ben Chilwell, shows Leicester can be willing to do business at the right price - and time.
But the Leicester Mercury has reported that Rodgers has held heart-to-hearts with both Fofana and Maddison to tell them they are better off at Leicester in the short-term and they will be allowed to go eventually when it suits the club.
