Free agent defender John Stones has emerged as a potential option for Chelsea in this transfer window.
The 32-year-old is searching for a new club following his World Cup campaign with England after leaving Manchester City at the end of his contract earlier this month.
Chelsea want to sign players who can have an immediate impact in Xabi Alonso’s first season in charge.
Watch the hilarious moment John Stones pranked England boss Thomas Tuchel with a fake shoulder injury during the dressing room celebrations after beating Mexico. X credit: @England.
The Blues want to sign a centre-back and ideally any new arrival would be physically imposing and bring Premier League experience.
Chelsea have raised around £130m from sales in this window and more players are set to leave.
Dharmesh Sheth updates on the latest transfer speculation where Barcelona and Arsenal are interested in Argentina’s Julian Alvarez. Inter Milan are considering a deal for England’s John Stones and Djed Spence.
In defence, players who could move on include Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi.
Palace seek £55m-plus for Lacroix as Chelsea talks begin
Maxence Lacroix has made 98 appearances for Crystal Palace
Chelsea are in talks with Crystal Palace over the signing of defender Maxence Lacroix.
Sky Sports News understands Palace are seeking more than the £55m Tottenham paid for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton to sanction Lacroix’s sale.
Xabi Alonso speaks to the media for the first time as Chelsea manager and does not hide the fact that a return to European football is his target this season.
Palace and Chelsea enjoy good relations at the highest levels and they have done deals for players such as Chalobah and Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea’s key summer business so far
In
Geovany Quenda – Sporting, £43.5m
Marco Palestra – Atalanta, £43m
Denner – Corinthians, £8.7m
Dastan Satpaev – Kairat Almaty, £2.1m
Emmanuel Emegha – Strasbourg, undisclosed
Out
Marc Cucurella – Real Madrid, £51.8m
Andrey Santos – Man Utd, £50m
Tyrique George – Everton, £24m
Jimmy-Jay Morgan – West Brom, £4m
