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Only David Luiz and Kurt Zouma have cost more as Chelsea edge closer to £26m deal

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Chelsea have made a decision on Trevoh Chalobah after another offer from Cesc Fabregas’ Como, and if reports are true, Chalobah would become Chelsea’s third-biggest centre-back sale.

Chalobah is expected to leave this summer, with Inter Milan and Como both pursuing a deal for England’s World Cup star this summer. It comes after a disappointing 2025-26 season, with Chalobah struggling.

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Wesley Fofana of Chelsea with team mate Trevoh Chalobah
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Chelsea have a whole host of centre-backs. Maxence Lacroix is expected to complete a £52m move to Chelsea, and there is a chance John Stones could join the Frenchman in West London on a free transfer.

That means Chelsea need to remove, arguably, five or six centre-backs. Wesley Fofana, Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Mamadou Sarr, Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi and more could leave the club this summer.

If reports are true, Chalobah could leave for more than £26m

After a call from Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Chalobah is said to be keen on a move to Italy despite tentative interest from Premier League clubs like Crystal Palace. At one point, Inter were ‘expected’ to get him.

Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea walks around with the UEFA Conference League Trophy
Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Now, it appears Como are on pole position. Fabrizio Romano reports a bid of £26m – £21.5m with £4.5m in add-ons – was made to sign Chalobah. However, Chelsea have informed Como a fee must be higher.

Chelsea want a figure north of £26m if they are to sell Chalobah, Romano said: “Chelsea inform Como new proposal worth €25m [£21.5m] plus €5m [£4.5m] for Chalobah is not enough to get the deal done.

“Chelsea want more than €30m [£26m] to sell Trevoh and Como also explore different options at centre back. Chalobah remains keen on move + still likely to leave,” Romano reported late on Saturday evening.

Only David Luiz and Kurt Zouma have cost more

When it comes to Chelsea’s record sales, there are some big numbers. Just this summer, Marc Cucurella and Andrey Santos have both left for figures of £50m or more, with Cucurella departing for £51.8m.

BlueCo are good at getting what they want, even if, often, it’s not what Chelsea need. They have a price tag in mind for Chalobah. Even though there are only two years left to run on it, they will be stubborn.

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Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Chelsea want a figure north of £26m for Chalobah, and it remains to be seen if Como will raise their bid to that sum. But if they do, Chalobah will be Chelsea’s third-most-expensive centre-back sale in history.

Only two have cost more. David Luiz cost PSG a huge £50m when they signed him from Chelsea, while Kurt Zouma moved to West Ham for £29.8m. Chalobah would come in at third behind those two players.

Then, behind that trio of defenders, is England international Fikayo Tomori, who joined Milan in a deal worth £24m. There is every chance that Chalobah becomes a rival of Tomori in Italy this summer.