Chelsea's summer transfer window could be impacted by the news that Roman Abramovich has had his UK assets frozen.
News broke earlier today that the Russian billionaire has been added to the UK's sanctions list with all of the 55-year-old's assets, including the Blues, frozen with immediate effect.
Chelsea are allowed to continue functioning in certain activities after being granted a special sporting licence from the UK government - which expires in May before the sanctions are reviewed once again.
This could be positive news for Chelsea on the transfer front, because at the moment, the club are not permitted to bring any new players to Stamford Bridge under the sanctions.
The sanctions mean that Chelsea are effectively under a transfer ban, like they were three years ago.
However, with the sanctions being reviewed in May, Chelsea supporters will be hoping the situation has somewhat been resolved by then, so Thomas Tuchel can bring some fresh faces to his squad in time for next season.
Jules Kounde of Sevilla and West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice have both been strongly linked with a move to the Blues for some time now.
Chelsea were strongly interested in Kounde last summer, with the Sevilla defender impressing in Spain, but the two clubs were unable to agree on a deal for the centre-back.
With Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all seeing their contracts expire at the end of the season, the Blues looked set to move for a new defender in the summer transfer window - with Kounde thought to be top of that shortlist.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract in Seville and is thought to be keen on departing the Spanish club in the future.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been repeatedly linked with West Ham and England midfielder Rice, who was released by the west Londoners as a teenager.
The 23-year-old, like Kounde, sees his contract expire in the summer of 2024 and reports over the last few months have suggested he has turned down offers from the Hammers over extending his stay at the London Stadium.
football.london understands that West Ham will not entertain any bids for Rice in the summer and remain determined to keep hold of their star midfielder.
With the summer transfer window officially opening at the start of July, everyone involved at Chelsea Football Club will be hoping that the review of the sanctions in May will end in good news for all parties.
