The latest Chelsea transfer stories brought to you by football.london on Thursday, July 21.
Kounde twist
There has been yet another twist in the dramatic Jules Kounde transfer saga as the Sevilla defender now enters a state of flux between ongoing negotiations with both Barcelona and Chelsea.
The Blues had thought that their £60m offer for the 23-year-old would be enough to secure his signature but that has been put into doubt as Xavi's Barcelona yet again cling onto the chance of bringing him to the Camp Nou. The Spanish giants have managed to persuade Kounde to join up with his current teammates in Portugal for preseason despite Chelsea believing he was on the verge of joining them.
READ MORE: Chelsea have £60m Cesar Azpilicueta replacement as Thomas Tuchel builds dream defence
Barcelona's tactic to delay the move has strongly angered figures at Chelsea, though as it stands Todd Boehly is the only man to have made a formal offer for the player, hence why Chelsea were hoping to tie a deal up quickly.
Broja's delay
Outgoings are just as tough to sanction as incomings at Stamford Bridge as Tuchel has told two of his star young players to be hasty with their decisions.
Both Armando Broja and Levi Colwill could leave the club permanently this summer if they don't see a clear pathway to regular first team action. The Albanian striker is closest to the exit door after making his own choice to leave the Blues despite Tuchel's admiration for the player and a chance to be back up striker to Kai Havertz.
Although a deal with West Ham was thought to be close Chelsea have made negotiations hard in order to speak with Broja. Colwill likewise could be impacted by how he gets on in preseason and the success that Chelsea have in finding a new senior centre back.
Tuchel's £180m issue
Whereas interest in Chelsea's promising youth players is high, Tuchel is facing a battle to rid himself of squad players that don't fall into his plans.
Players such as Ross Barkley, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Michy Batshuayi and Hakim Ziyech are all surplus to requirements for next season but due to their high wages, price tags and lack of form, there aren't a queue of suitors waiting to make Chelsea offers.
This could cause multiple problems for Tuchel as he is forced to work with an already bloated squad, plus it could damage his hopes of bringing in more high profile signings in areas that need strengthening.
If he is still unable to sell his squad players then there is a chance that big money signings Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic could be sacrificed.
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