Xavi Simons. (REUTERS/Albert Gea)
Chelsea are in talks to sign Ajax centre back Jorrel Hato and RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons. The newly crowned Club World Cup champions have already invested heavily this summer, spending over £157m on new signings.
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Mamadou Sarr have already joined the Blues in this transfer window, on top of earlier agreed deals for youngsters Geovany Quenda, Dario Essugo, and William Estevao.
SkySports has now reported that Chelsea is set to splash even more cash on two more incomings. Ajax defender Hato is reportedly one of a number of centre-backs Chelsea have been keeping tabs on. The Netherlands international can also play left back and was a known target for Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal.
It is the Blue side of London that has made the first approach however, as Chelsea now look to be closing in on an agreement. Hato’s compatriot Simons was also reportedly on the radar of Arsenal, but has given his ok to the Blues’ approach.
Simons has two years remaining on his contract at Leipzig, but transfer Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this week that the player’s decision to leave the club was decided as far back as March. Chelsea’s discussions with Leipzig for Simons are understood to be less advanced than their talks for Hato with Ajax at this moment.
Chelsea keen on Hato, Simmons to continue spending spree
Chelsea’s active start to the transfer window looks set to continue, as they are understood to be open to even more business if they can offload players first.
One of the players who could make way for Simons is French forward Christopher Nkunku. Despite his heavy involvement in Chelsea’s successful Club World Cup campaign, he was deemed surplus to requirements this summer and is gaining interest from several clubs across Europe.
Nicolas Jackson is another name that continues to make headlines this summer, with the striker falling down the pecking order following the arrivals of Pedro and Delap. He is reportedly on the radar of Manchester United and Aston Villa amongst others in the Premier League and across Europe.
Chelsea will also look to offload most if not all of their loan army from last season. Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, and Axel Disasi all spent last season away from Stamford Bridge and could be moved on permanently this summer.
The same can be said for Carney Chukwuemeka, who spent the second half of the season on loan with Borussia Dortmund. RB Leipzig are now pushing to sign the player, which could work in Chelsea’s favour as they pursue Simons.
Forgotten man Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is another expected to depart the club this summer. The midfielder was signed just last summer but was frozen out of the first team picture for much of last season. He managed just 13 appearances last season and is now on the radar of Fulham who have explored both a loan and permanent deal for the player.
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