Five bargain transfers Chelsea can make to ease Roman Abramovich blow
Any plans Chelsea had for the summer transfer window will have likely been thrown into disarray
following Roman Abramovich's decision to sell the club.
Thomas Tuchel already looked likely to have his work cut out over the summer with Cesar
Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen all potentially leaving on free transfers.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that sources close to the club believe spending
power will be significantly reduced once Abramovich departs, meaning the Blues will need to become
wiser in the transfer market.
With that in mind, football.london has looked at six potential bargains Tuchel could bring
in - particularly to solve an impending crisis at the back.
Matthias Ginter
Ginter finds himself in a similar situation to the Blues trio, with his contract with
Borussia Monchengladbach set to come to end this summer.
A new deal is yet to be agreed and securing the 28-year-old on a free transfer would mark
a shrewd bit of business for Tuchel, especially given the current uncertainty at the club.
It will not be an easy move, however, with Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich all
interested in his services.
Milan Skriniar
Come the summer, Skriniar will have just one year remaining on his contract with Inter,
and the club may well be eager to cash in on the defender while they can.
A cut-price deal could well be on the cards.
Skriniar also has a number of potential suitors, however, with Liverpool and Real Madrid among
those monitoring the player's situation.
Caglar Soyuncu
If Tuchel wants Premier League experience and someone accustomed to playing in a back
three, then a move for Leicester City's Soyuncu may tempt him.
The hype around the Turkey international has died down over the past year following an
excellent introduction to Premier League life.
But aged just 25, there is plenty of potential for the Blues to work with were they to move
for the player once he enters the final year of his contract.
Evan Ndicka
Another French centre-back to excite Europe, Ndicka will also be entering the final year
of his contract this summer with Eintracht Frankfurt left pondering whether to cash in.
Aged just 22, he has as high a ceiling as anyone on this list and could prove an attractive
prospect, especially with uncertainty surrounding how much any new owner will be willing to
invest going forward.
Ndicka has been linked with Arsenal in the past but with Chelsea likely able to offer
better playing opportunities, they could hold a key advantage.
Ronald Araujo
Another player with a very high ceiling.
Barcelona's Uruguayan centre-back has been a regular at the Camp Nou this season, making
23 appearances and scoring three goals in that time.
But Araujo's contract will expire in the summer of 2023 and with no new deal secured for the
23-year-old, an unmissable opportunity may present itself to the Blues.