Chelsea are in advanced talks with Ajax over a deal for centre-back Jorrel Hato and have also held discussions over the signing of RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons.
It’s understood Chelsea are ready to pay £44m (€50m) for Hato, but Ajax are holding out for around £52m (€60m).
Hato has told Ajax he wants to leave and the clubs have been in locked in high-level talks on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old central defender, who can also play as a left back, has been watched closely by Chelsea, whose interest is longstanding.He is a player they are understood to admire as he has quickly developed into one of the best young defenders in the world.
Chelsea value Hato at around €40m (£35m), using the £38.5m Arsenal paid Ajax for Jurien Timber (£34m, plus £4.5m in add-ons) as a benchmark.
He is contracted to Ajax until 2028 and his agent has confirmed the Blues are in talks to sign the defender.
Humphry Nijman told De Telegraaf: “Yes, the club has contacted Ajax.
“The only thing I can say is that Jorrel is now in talks with Chelsea.”
Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Simons – another player Chelsea have held talks over – is set to leave RB Leipzig this summer as he has two years left on his contract.
Chelsea have other targets as well and any more incomings are dependent on players also leaving.
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Who could Chelsea sell to raise funds?
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Could Christopher Nkunku be moved on?
Once again, Chelsea have another summer where they are looking to move on players in a bloated squad.
One of the attacking players who could make way for Simons’ arrival is Christopher Nkunku – despite the Frenchman playing a significant role in Chelsea’s successful Club World Cup campaign.
Many of the players Chelsea are looking to move on were on loan last season. One of them is Raheem Sterling, who returned from an unsuccessful spell at Arsenal last term.
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Raheem Sterling had a failed loan spell at Arsenal
Other players out on loan last term include Joao Felix, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi.
Another player who Chelsea could move on is Carney Chukwuemeka, with RB Leipzig pursuing a move for the Chelsea midfielder.
Chukwuemeka spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund. But it is Leipzig that are now pushing to sign the 21-year-old, who has three years left on his deal.
Fulham interested in Dewsbury-Hall
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall played more minutes than any other Chelsea player in their UEFA Conference League campaign
Another player Chelsea could move on is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, with Fulham keen on the midfielder.
It is understood that Fulham have explored the conditions of both a loan and permanent move. A formal approach to Chelsea will follow if they believe there is a deal to be done.
Dewsbury-Hall featured in six of Chelsea’s eight Club World Cup matches – starting once. He has a contract until 2029 with the club holding the option to extend for a further year.
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