Chelsea rival Arsenal to £59m transfer battle as Thomas Tuchel plots Gabriel Jesus backup
plan
Chelsea could be one of the Premier League's busiest clubs this summer with plenty of uncertainty
throughout the first-team squad.
Todd Boehly's early days at the club are likely to be dominated by transfer planning with
a number of high-profile names reportedly targeted already.
The departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have already been confirmed by
Thomas Tuchel but they may not be the last to leave.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have
all been linked with moves away and it remains to be seen what the first-team squad will
consist of when the transfer window closes.
Nevertheless, it is a challenge those concerned will have to be up for.
With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at the latest names to be linked with
moves to Stamford Bridge.
AC Milan star Rafael Leao has been heavily linked with a move away from the Italian giants
this summer following impressive displays to secure the club's first Scudetto in eleven
years.
The 22-year-old, who sees his contract at the San Siro expire in June 2024, has reportedly
courted the interest of Arsenal lately with Mikel Arteta keen to bolster his frontline
amid the looming departures of Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette.
However, the Portugal international, who has been valued at around £59m by CIES Football
Observatory, has also reportedly attracted interest from Chelsea amid Todd Boehly's mission
to lure star-studded names to Stamford Bridge this summer.
90min claim that the west Londoners are keeping tabs on Leao's situation, with Timo Werner,
Romelu Lukaku and Hakim Ziyech facing relatively uncertain futures.
Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain have also emerged as the prominent suitors in the
race to land the forward's services, according to La Repubblica.
The report suggests that the two sides are prepared to quadruple Leao's wages ahead of
a potential transfer in the coming weeks.
Two Premier League teams have joined in the bidding to sign Darwin Nunez this summer,
according to reports.
The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to both Arsenal and Chelsea in the
upcoming transfer window.
According to journalist Sebas Giovanelli, both Newcastle and Manchester United are bidding
and are most likely to sign Nunez this summer.
However, with plenty of time left in the window, it remains to be seen whether he will definitely
make the move to either team, or if he will end up elsewhere.
Gabriel Jesus wants to join Spanish giants Real Madrid if recent reports are to be believed.
Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the Manchester City frontman and technical
director Edu has held talks with the player's representatives in recent months, football.london
understands.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in the Brazilian international following Romelu
Lukaku's disappointing 2021/22 campaign in west London.
Now, Spanish outlet SERDeportivos have reported that the player prefers a move to the Bernabeu,
with Real boss Carlo Ancelotti also said to be keen on signing the 25-year-old this summer.