Chelsea have stepped up their work in the transfer market this week, with Marco Palestra set to join and Maxence Lacroix strongly linked. But a new left-winger is also likely this summer.
It looks as if Chelsea have started their rebuild under Xabi Alonso with new defenders. Marco Palestra was on his way to London last night and is expected to undergo a medical before signing on the dotted line.
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Meanwhile, interest in Lacroix is growing steadily, with Chelsea willing to pay £50m. But the Blues are not going to stop there, with a left-back, a midfielder, competition for Joao Pedro and a new striker needed.
New reports from Portugal have shed some light on that, as Chelsea look to bring in a better option than the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, who have struggled during their first Chelsea season.
Chelsea open talks to sign £35m Benfica ace, Fabregas interested
According to Portuguese outlet Record, Chelsea are among the clubs to have opened talks for Benfica attacker Andreas Schjelderup. The Norwegian attacker has impressed in Portuguese football of late.
Bought by Benfica as a teenager back in January 2023, Schjelderup has gone on to play 86 times. The 22-year-old had to remain patient initially, but has gone on to have a hand in 30 goals in Benfica red.
Interestingly, Cesc Fabregas’ Como are leading the race. Record report Benfica want £35m for the young attacker, but Como – who want to sign Trevoh Chalobah – want to do a loan with a mandatory option.
The newspaper also suggests that Chelsea and Milan are among the clubs interested and have opened talks to sign Schjelderup. He has a contract at Benfica until 2028, with an £86m release clause included.
The ‘next Haaland’ will concern Garnacho and Gittens
Given he was the next big thing to come out of Norwegian football after Erling Haaland, Schjelderup has been coined as ‘the next Haaland’ by some areas of the media. Obviously, he has a long way to go.
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But there is no doubt that there is a player with massive potential in the Norwegian ace. So much so, that it will concern Garnacho and Gittens, the £100m duo that have struggled since their move to Chelsea.
Garnacho has been linked with an exit this summer after such a poor season at Stamford Bridge, while Gittens has struggled with hamstring injuries. Schjelderup pushes both players down the pecking order.
The mere interest in a new left-sided winger will concern the Chelsea duo going into the summer window. It would be advisable for both players to keep their options open ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
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