Ten players who could transfer to Chelsea this summer

Tom Hancock

• 7 Jun 2023 08:55 BST
• 6 min read

Chelsea will want to banish the memory of their utterly calamitous 2022/23 season as quickly as possible – and first things first, they need a strong summer transfer window.

In Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues look to have the ideal new head coach to get them back on track – but he’ll need to make a few additions to the squad to plug some key gaps and truly put his stamp on it.

Having splurged best part of £600m in two transfer windows under Todd Boehly’s ownership, Chelsea could have to rein in their spending a bit this time around, but that’s not to say there’s not important business to be done.

The need for an out-and-out centre-forward is painfully obvious – while doubts over both Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga likely make goalkeeper another priority position.

But which players could make the switch to Stamford Bridge this summer?

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What goalkeepers could transfer to Chelsea this summer?

Mike Maignan

Undoubtedly one of AC Milan’s main men, Mike Maignan might just be the best goalkeeper in the world right now.

It’s been a watershed season for the 27-year-old, who made some stunning saves to help Milan reach the Champions League semi-finals – and has established himself as France’s number one.

In light of Paolo Maldini’s shock sacking as technical director of the Rossoneri, Maignan is reportedly considering his future at the San Siro.

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Chelsea only broke the world transfer record for a goalkeeper when they signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao five years ago – but they could do it again to land Valencia star Mamardashvili.

The prodigious Georgian international, 22, is fast developing into one of the finest ‘keepers around – so it’s no wonder he’s said to have a release clause of €100m.

Valencia avoided relegation from La Liga on the final day of 2022/23; they might have been down weeks ago if not for Mamardashvili’s brilliance between the sticks.

Andre Onana

Arguably the standout goalkeeper in this season’s Champions League, Inter Milan number one Andre Onana has the unenviable task of trying to keep out Manchester City in the final.

Will Saturday’s showpiece match in Istanbul be Onana’s last game for Inter? Well, Chelsea are thought to have been keeping tabs on Cameroon’s first-choice custodian.

The 27-year-old has plenty of experience of top-level European football, having spent six seasons with Ajax prior to making the move to Italy last summer.

David Raya

Brentford’s signing of Mark Flekken from Freiburg last week all but confirmed that David Raya is on his way out of the club.

Since joining Brentford from Blackburn Rovers four years ago, the 27-year-old Spain internattional has gone from strength to strength, helping the Bees to promotion from the Championship in 2021 – and serving as a highly dependable last line of defence during their impressive first two seasons in the Premier League.

The Barcelona-born shot-stopper was an ever-present for Thomas Frank’s side in the league this term, keeping 12 clean sheets – the fifth-most in the top flight.

What defenders could transfer to Chelsea this summer?

Pau Torres

Heavily linked with a move to the Premier League last summer, Pau Torres ultimately stayed with Villarreal for another campaign.

But with the Spain centre-back, 26, out of contract at the end of next season, the Yellow Submarine ought to be more receptive to offers for one of their star players this time around.

Rumoured to be available for as little as €35m, Chelsea could get themselves some seriously solid defensive depth at a very reasonable price indeed.

MORE: Ten players who could transfer to Man Utd this summer

What midfielders could transfer to Chelsea this summer?

Moises Caicedo

Chelsea beat Arsenal to the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk in January; could they repeat the trick with a summer swoop Brighton’s combative midfield maestro Moises Caicedo?

Were they to pull it off, it would certainly be a bigger blow to the Gunners: above all else, unlike Mudryk, Caicedo is a proven Premier League player.

The 21-year-old Ecuadorian would enhance most midfields in the division and could make the perfect replacement for N’Golo Kante at Stamford Bridge.

Romeo Lavia

Southampton’s relegation means there’s bound to be a mass exodus from St. Mary’s over the coming months – and Romeo Lavia could be one of the first out the door.

Having only turned 19 in January, the Belgian – who won his first cap for his country earlier this year – is still just getting started.

He certainly caught the eye with his determined and composed deep-lying midfield play for a poor Saints team, though, making apparent interest from Chelsea and Liverpool entirely believable.

Gabri Veiga

One of La Liga’s hottest young talents, Celta Vigo starlet Gabri Veiga isn’t likely to be short of suitors this summer – and Chelsea are reported to be among them.

Veiga – who only turned 21 last month – scored 11 goals in 2022/23, as well as providing more assists.

And that extra scoring threat from midfield could suit the Blues nicely; after all, they just posted their lowest goals total in a campaign for 99 years.

What forwards could transfer to Chelsea this summer?

Neymar

If reports from France are to be believed, Chelsea have already opened talks about a sensational swoop for Neymar – who are PSG are said to want to offload during the upcoming transfer window.

The Brazilian genius, now 31, still holds the world transfer record, having joined PSG from Barcelona for a veritably eye-watering €222m back in 2017.

Injuries continue to plague the one-time Santos wonderkid, but the Blues would still be getting one of the best players on the planet were they to pull a transfer off: Neymar has notched 118 goals in 173 appearances for his current club.

Victor Osimhen

His goals fired Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years this season, but Victor Osimhen could be pulling on a different shirt next term.

The prolific Nigerian marksman, 24, has also been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich – but Chelsea’s need for a new number nine is arguably greater than that of both those clubs.

It’s imperative that Mauricio Pochettino has an elite striker to lead the line as he looks to steer the Blues back to the Champions League – and Osimhen, who found the net 31 times in 39 outings in 2022/23, is one of the best options out there.