Chelsea's financial crisis: The stars who could leave in summer fire sale

Jacque Talbot

• 7 Mar 2024 08:59 CST
• 3 min read

Chelsea’s ability to meet Profit and Sustainability rules are now in doubt, meaning that they may need to make a quickfire sale in the upcoming transfer window.

The Telegraph have reported that the club made a £90.1 million loss before tax in the 12-month period up to June 30, 2023, with suggestions now that the Blues may now need to move on £100m worth of talent to abide by regulations.

Chelsea have stressed that their finances are all in order - but rival clubs in the Premier League doubt this is the case.

Chelsea has invested over £1 billion in acquiring talent, bringing in players like Raheem Sterling, Mykhalio Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez - who FootballTransfers revealed was open to a move away - and Moises Caicedo during the Boehly era.

Current Profit and Sustainability Rules of the Premier League permitting clubs to incur losses of up to £105 million over a three-year period, Chelsea finds itself approaching this limit. To avoid any breaches, the club must offload several players.

FootballTransfers takes a look at some of the names that could be moved on in the upcoming transfer window.

Armando Broja

Armando Broja has been linked with a move away for the past couple of years. Wolves and Fulham were linked to the striker during the January window but it was the Cottagers that managed to secure the deal, with the Slough-born player heading there on loan. It’s thought Chelsea will ask for around £40m for the 22-year-old, who is contracted until 2028.

Marc Cucurella

The Spaniard has failed to live up to the mark after he was bought from Brighton for £62m in 2022. The fullback currently on the sidelines having undergone ankle surgery in November and it’s unlikely that Chelsea will manage to recoup a large portion of the money they initially paid for him. FootballTransfers Estimated Transfer algorithm values Cucurella around £28m.

Trevoh Chalobah

Trevoh Chalobah is another homegrown player who has been extensively linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge. He is under contract under 2028 and the club rate his value at around £25m. Last year, he turned down a move to Nottingham Forest - while in January, Bayern Munich refused to meet Chelsea’s valuation.

Conor Gallagher

Tottenham had a large interest in Conor Gallagher last year and in the Janaury window but 23-year-old wished to remain with Chelsea. The 23-year-old is a homegrown player and under contract under 2025. It’s thought that the Blues would demand around £50m in the market for Gallagher.

Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea’s biggest flop remains on the books with Chelsea. He is on his second consecutive loan spell in Italy, playing for AS Roma. Despite decent form there, it’s believed that there is no way back for Lukuku. The Beligan is under contract until 2026 and could bring in around £35m for the club. Sides in the Saudi Pro League have been linked before to the striker.

Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling has shown glimmers of excellence this term, but the reality is that the attacker has failed to live up to his price tag of £47.5m. Chelsea could expect around half that for Sterling, who will be 30 this year.

Mykhailo Mudryk

The biggest issue Chelsea have with Mykhailo Mudryk is the fact that no one would be willing to buy him. It’s been over a year since his £89m move from Shakhtar Donetsk but his return hasn’t been great. There were rumours Arsenal still admire the winger but there is seldom chance of any deal being struck.