Chelsea targets star duo amid ongoing first-team departures

For Chelsea, selling Nkunku is essential not only to balance the books but also to free space for potential additions in wide and attacking midfield positions.

One of Chelsea’s primary targets is Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho. The 21-year-old has emerged as a priority, but a deal can only proceed if Chelsea offloads at least two forwards. 

Valued at around £50M ($67M), Garnacho has expressed a clear desire to join the Blues, while Uniteds aim to secure a full return on its academy graduate. His arrival would inject pace and creativity into Chelsea’s wide areas, addressing a key squad need under head coach Enzo Maresca.

Chelsea is also monitoring RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons, but negotiations have proved complicated. The German club is reportedly seeking close to €80M ($93.6M), while Chelsea aims to keep the fee lower. Player-plus-cash arrangements have been explored, but no agreement has been reached.

The Blues’ recruitment this summer is therefore heavily dependent on outgoing transfers. Unless Nkunku and potentially other forwards move on, signings such as Garnacho and Simons are unlikely to materialize. 

With the transfer window closing rapidly, Chelsea faces a delicate balancing act in maintaining squad depth while freeing the resources needed to secure its targets.

The stakes have already been highlighted on the pitch, with Chelsea beginning the 2025-26 campaign with a 0-0 stalemate against Crystal Palace on Aug. 17.

As the window draws to a close, the club’s ability to land high-profile additions will hinge entirely on the departure of first-team players. The next few weeks will be pivotal, shaping a squad ready to compete at the top level.