Chelsea could be about to land their first signing of the summer transfer window despite it not even being open yet.
The Blues are also without a manager as they sort out the final details of their deal to bring Leicester City’s Enzo Maresca to Stamford Bridge.
Maresca is set to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, who left Chelsea by mutual consent last week, with The Telegraph reporting that he should be through the door soon.
The 44-year-old not being at the club yet, though, does not seem to have stopped them from targeting players.
And talks with one of those players seem to be heading in the right direction.
Chelsea’s talks with Premier League star
With Thiago Silva leaving the club, Chelsea could sign a new central defender this summer.
Silva’s contract is about to expire, leaving him free to join Brazilian side Fluminense.
Maresca will still have the likes of Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill, but Chelsea remain keen on signing a centre-back this summer.
According to journalist Rudy Galetti, they have been in talks with Fulham’s Tosin Adarabioyo, which have progressed well and “are at a good stage”.
Galetti claims that Chelsea feel that they are in a strong position to sign him this summer despite rival interest.
Who could Chelsea sign if they miss out on Tosin Adarabioyo?
Chelsea have been linked with several centre-halves this year, so if they cannot land Adarabioyo for whatever reason, they should have other options.
For example, it was claimed in January that the club have been tracking Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi since his departure from Stamford Bridge in 2021.
Like Adarabioyo, who was described as a “fantastic” player in the past by former teammate Darragh Lenihan, Guehi is obviously a defender who knows the Premier League well. So the England international could be the perfect alternative.
Of course, Chelsea will have to pay a transfer fee for Guehi, unlike with Adarabioyo, who is leaving Fulham as a free agent.
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