In an attempt to recover a portion of the £121 million they lost in annual financial losses, Chelsea will reduce the size of their bloated squad.
Upon the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge, the club will aim to streamline their team with the departure of up to fifteen players. The Blues' overcrowded dressing room has been regarded as one of the key reasons for their all-time-low season in the Premier League this campaign.
Loanee Joao Felix has become the expected squad overhaul's first casualty under the new Argentine manager. A day after Pochettino's appointment, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo confirmed that Felix will be returning to Spain as the new manager is not keen to keep him in London.
Kai Havertz's move to Arsenal was announced on June 28. The German international joined the Emirates side on a five-year-deal, until 2028, for £65m. Havertz's shirt number is going to be 29, and he is expected to play in the midfield area.
“We welcome Kai and his family to Arsenal Football Club and we are all excited to start working with him when we start pre-season training soon,” said the club statement.
Being among the most-desired midfielders during this summer transfer window, Mateo Kovacic's top admirers, Manchester City sealed the player's signing on June 27. The clubs have agreed on a £25m fee as per the Guardian.
“This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City,” said the 29-year-old in his first official interview with the Sky Blues.
Chelsea homegrown talent Mason Mount's move to Manchester United was confirmed on July 5. The Englishman's contract with the Red Devils runs through 2028, with an the opportunity of an additional year.
Following the serious injury of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the Spanish giants signed Kepa Arrizbalaga on a season-long loan deal. After the arrival of Robert Sanchez at Stamford Bridge from Brentford, Arrizbalaga is hoping to impress the La Liga champions and extend his stay at Real Madrid.
Some of the Blues are set to join the Saudi Pro League, as they are wanted by Saudi clubs. The first Chelsea signing to the Middle East was N'Golo Kante. The Frenchman has joined Al-Ittihad as a free agent.
Kalidou Koulibaly finalized his move to Al-Hilal on June. The 32-year-old's contract with the Saudi side is three-season-long, keeping the French-Senegalese player in the Middle East until 2026. Chelsea confirms the skilled player's departure from the club on June 27.
Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy are also on Saudi radar, but any agreements are yet to be announced. Ziyech's deal with Al-Nassr was terminated due to a rumored knee injury revealed during his medicals.
After his failed attempt to make a move to the Saudi Pro League, Ziyech is reportedly completing his move to Turkish club Galatasaray.
AC Milan has secured the services of midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek signing him on a four-year contract. While the exact transfer fee remains undisclosed, sources suggest that Milan will pay £15m, with potential additional payments.
Christian Pulisic's move to AC Milan is expected to be announced on July 12. The Chelsea winger has been ‘pushing for this new chapter’ for the past weeks with a strong desire to join the Italian club, as per Fabrizio Romano. MilanNews states that the 24-year-old's transfer to Milan is close to completion, with the player posting a video of himself announcing his arrival at Milan (city).
Romelu Lukaku and AS Roma are in their last stage of finalizing a permanent deal. After being linked to Serie A clubs Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus the Belgian striker has agreed toa move to Jose Mourinho's side.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure from Chelsea was confirmed on July 21. The 34-year-old has joined the Ligue 1 side Marseille. Last summer, the Gabonese player joined Stamford Bridge from Barcelona and subsequently featured in 21 matches across all competitions for Chelsea.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is also expected to leave Stamford Bridge. On September 1st, Nottingham Forest have officially confirmed the acquisition of the 22-year-old. He initially rose through Chelsea's youth ranks and went on to make 126 senior-level appearances.
Chelsea captain and legend César Azpilicueta announced his departure from Chelsea in an emotional video on July 6. After spending 11 years as a London Blue, the dedicated Spaniard chose to continue his career in his homeland, with Atletico Madrid. Departing as a genuine legend for the Blues, the Spanish defender's remarkable 508 senior appearances for the club resulted in winning every single trophy.
Like Joao Felix, Denis Zakaria is also set to return to his parent club after spending a season on loan from Juventus.
Reportedly, Tottenham Hotspur are now interested in signing Chelsea homegrown talent Conor Gallagher. The England international is seen as a replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the Spurs' squad. Previously, there has been interest from Newcastle United and Liverpool, with the former having declared it rather early.
Another player who is linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge is Trevoh Chalobah. According to Standard Sport, the 24-year-old might not find a place in the Blues' squad after Levi Colwill's return from loan season at Brighton.
Marc Cucurella, despite having appeared for just a season at Stamford Bridge, is one of the players the club wouldn't mind selling this summer. The Spain international has failed to live up to the expectations put on him ever since his move from Brighton.
Currently, Manchester United are the frontrunners to sign Cucurella on a loan-move. The clubs are now negotiating for an acceptable fee for both sides.
Additionally, Chelsea have a considerable number of players currently out on loan, exceeding 20 in total. The club intend to streamline their loan system, and during the upcoming summer, they are inclined to prioritize permanent transfers rather than temporary loan deals in several cases.
The first confirmed departure from the players on loan is Ethan Ampadu. The 22-year-old has joined relegated club Leeds United.