After two transfer windows of Todd Boehly splashing the cash in the market, he has left Chelsea in a position where they need to sell a host of their current stars.
Mauricio Pochettino is the man tasked with getting the Blues back on track and at first streamline the current squad at Stamford Bridge. That appears to already be underway with a whole host of the current squad garnering interest from elsewhere.
The first of those is German attacking midfielder Kai Havertz, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal. The Gunners are keen to sign the former Bayer Leverkusen starlet and have lodged their first bid.
The Blues are willing to sell Havertz due to him having just two years remaining on his contract - and at this stage not indicating a desire to sign an extended deal. However, Arsenal’s first bid has been turned down according to The Telegraph.
It is suggested that Chelsea value Havertz at around £70million, whilst Arsenal would be willing to match the £250k-per-week wages that he currently earns across the capital. It is now down to the Gunners to find an agreement with the Blues regarding a deal.
Another who could be on the way out of Stamford Bridge is Mason Mount. The Chelsea academy graduate is out of contract in 12 months’ time with Manchester United in the thick of talks to sign him.
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The Red Devils also saw their opening offer rejected and will soon return with an improved offer of near £50million. That is not expected to be enough to tempt Chelsea into selling - the Blues also want to earn around £70million from any sale.
United are reportedly ‘confident’ that he will not commit to a new deal with his boyhood club, leaving Chelsea in a vulnerable position of losing him for free next summer.
Havertz and Mount are not expected to be the final major departures under new boss Pochettino. French midfielder N’Golo Kante is on the verge of a move to Al-Ittihad at the end of his contract.
Mateo Kovacic is also set for a move to a Premier League rival with a £30m switch to treble winners Manchester City reported to be in the offing. He could also be joined by Edouard Mendy in leaving. The Senegalese goalkeeper is expected to bid farewell to the club after falling down the pecking order over the past 12 months.
Further squad shaping will also take place with academy graduate Ruben Loftus-Cheek hoping for a move to Italy. He could be joined in Serie A by Kalidou Koulibaly, who has proven to be a misguided signing after arriving from Napoli last summer.
Pochettino also has a decision to make over the future of former record signing Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker returned to Inter Milan on-loan last summer and there has been talk of an extended deal, whilst Saudi clubs are also interested in him.
Once Pochettino finally comes to a decision on members of his squad, Chelsea could kick-off what will be another summer of huge spending. Moises Caicedo remains on the Blues’ shortlist after they pursued him in January.
