Since the announcement of Antonio Conte as the new manager of Chelsea, rumours have been in overdrive here at the Transfer Tavern.
After some big names were mentioned in connection with the club, our punters have been having their say on who they think will end up at Stamford Bridge this summer.
What we do know is that after such a terrible season last year, the Blues will definitely be looking to improve their squad.
With Antonio Conte at the helm, we can expect some big names to be interested in joining the club, with a host of world-class players having already been linked.
Our landlord thinks this could be really interesting summer at Stamford Bridge, with some huge names coming in and going out.
With that, lets take a look at FIVE of the biggest transfer rumours that could actually happen at Chelsea this summer…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 CHELSEA TRANSFER RUMOURS!
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Paul Pogba
This is the one that every Chelsea fan wants.
It feels like this rumour comes up every summer, and it has always been followed by disappointment.
A world-class central midfielder, Pogba would immediately walk into the Chelsea side and revolutionise their team.
With the arrival of Antonio Conte however, Chelsea finally have a link to the elusive Frenchman. Given that Conte facilitated the breakout of Pogba at Juventus, it seems likely that Pogba would be willing to link back up with his former manager at Chelsea.
Reports in the press have also drawn this connection, with Conte reportedly very interested in getting Pogba on the plane to London.
Could this be the summer that this transfer finally happens?
John Stones
John Stones is another player that Chelsea have been keen on for a while, and after a number of rejected bids last summer, it seems inevitable that they will come back in for the young Englishman this year.
He has had a bit of a rough season, but this reportedly isn’t going to put the Blues off, with Chelsea bosses seeing the defender as the replacement for John Terry in the near future.
Will it happen? There’s certainly a high chance. Everton may be looking to cash in on Stones while his price remains relatively high, given that many are starting to doubt his quality.
If Chelsea were to put a bid in of a similar number to last summer, it might just be enough to prise the defender away from Merseyside.
Stephan Lichtsteiner
Several days ago the deal for Stephan Lichtsteiner looked like it was nailed on, but now the water surrounding this deal is a little bit murkier.
Despite reports that an £8.5 million pound deal had been done; there is still no confirmation of the deal from either side.
Punters here at the Tavern still think this one will go ahead however, given that the deal is affordable, and both parties are keen.
Chelsea are in search of a refreshed defence, and with Branislav Ivanovic now seemingly past his best; Lichsteiner could be a perfect match.
Antonio Rudiger
Another defender that Chelsea are seemingly keen on is German centre back Antonio Rudiger.
This deal is a strange one, given that he only signed for Roma from Stuttgart for £7.5 million a few days ago, but this seemingly isn’t putting Chelsea off.
There were rumours that the club were willing to sell the defender even before his move was completed, and now TalkSport are reporting that Chelsea have put aside £23 million on the defender.
Whilst this deal is strange, given that he was available for £15 million less just a few days ago; all signs are pointing towards this one going ahead.
The club are seemingly confident on the deal, and see him as fitting perfectly into a new look Chelsea defence.
Romelu Lukaku
Just two years ago, Chelsea fans here in the Transfer Tavern were generally pleased when the club sold Romelu Lukaku to Everton.
Flash forward to 2016 however and it looks like Chelsea are regretting that sale.
After scoring 18 Premier League goals last season, Romelu Lukaku has established himself as one of the top strikers in the English game, and this has lead to interest from across Europe.
The Evening Standard are reporting that Chelsea are keen on reuniting with the striker, and are suggesting that the club is hugely confident that they will be able to bag their man.
With the expected exodus of Chelsea strikers this summer, this one certainly has the makings of a deal that could happen.
Add to that the fact that the Belgian himself has spoken about his desire to leave – and this is beginning to look like it could be the story of the summer.
