Chelsea are still waiting to make their first senior signing of the summer transfer window. The Blues are looking to make six signings over the next few months, but supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of activity from the west London club.
However, with Romelu Lukaku's loan move to Inter Milan expected to be made official next week, that deal could kickstart Chelsea's summer. The Blues are looking for at least two new central defenders, with Jules Kounde and Matthijs de Ligt both of strong interest at the moment.
Chelsea are also looking to add two new attackers to Thomas Tuchel's squad following Lukaku's imminent exit. Raheem Sterling, Ousmane Dembele and Richarlison are all big targets for the west Londoners.
READ MORE: Chelsea players demand Todd Boehly beats Arsenal to transfer of £60m Premier League ace
The latter of the three, Richarlison, has just two years remaining on his contract with Everton. There is an understanding within the Merseyside club that the Brazil international could leave this summer, a source told football.london recently, but they will demand north of £50million for his services.
Richarlison played a huge part in Everton's survival last season, with the 25-year-old scoring three in the Toffees' last five Premier League matches – including the winner against Chelsea on May 1 – to help Frank Lampard's team stay in the top-flight. Since signing for Everton in 2018 from Watford, Richarlison has found the back of the net 43 times in 135 Premier League games.
It's a decent return, especially in a side that hasn't always been at its best since his arrival. That's why he has ambitions of moving on in the future and playing European football. Ideally, it would be with Everton, but that seems quite far away right now, given their dramatic relegation battle last term.
According to a report from the Brazilian version of GOAL last month, Richarlison is considering leaving Everton this summer and wants to play for a 'giant club' in Europe. Given Chelsea's history in the Champions League – with two Champions League trophies to their name – that very much puts them in that category.
The report also adds that the Brazilian prefers the opportunity to stay in the Premier League despite reported interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid in the past. All of the above bodes well for Chelsea, who want to add the Everton man to their front-line in time for the 2022/23 season.
Richarlison, when speaking to the media recently, revealed that he has already held talks with Everton's board and manager Lampard over his future.
"I've already made it clear to the board. I've already talked to Lampard, too, with my agents, and they know what I want. Let's wait for June," the Everton forward said last month to Globo Esporte.
"Now I cannot talk because when we talk about leaving a club, I'm kind of like this because of the history I have at Everton, the affection the fans have for me. When we talk about leaving, I'm a little speechless."
READ NEXT:
