Chelsea Aim to Sign Two Attackers by Club World Cup as Kendry Paez Decision Made

 New Chelsea signing Kendry Paez is currently training with Strasbourg. The 17-year-old Ecuador international will head to Stamford Bridge from Independiente del Valle this summer, after he turns 18, for a total package of €20m.

Paez is currently undertaking an acclimatisation process. He has already made two visits to Cobham, including an extended period in February, and is now gaining experience at the Blues' sister club, with the chance to meet Liam Rosenior and work with the first-team squad.

At this stage, the plan is for Paez to be part of the Club World Cup squad selected by Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca. It has not been decided yet whether a loan to Strasbourg is on the cards.

The Blues intend to recall Djordje Petrovic and Andrey Santos, while the plan is for Mathis Amougou to spend 2025/26 with Strasbourg. However, should the west Londoners and Strasbourg both end up in the same European competition, BlueCo 22 would put the latter in a blind trust, allowing both to still compete, and the knock-on effect would be an inability to loan any players between clubs.

Blues Eager to Make Early Moves in Summer

West Londoners aiming to bolster options in final third of pitch

Chelsea are in for a busy summer and are expected to be particularly active in the June 1-10 window as they bid to add names ahead of the Club World Cup and get business done early. Midfielder Dario Essugo will join from Sporting in time for the tournament in a deal worth €22m.

The Blues are in the market for a right-footed left-winger and a new No.9. Winger targets are still being crystalised, but Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams and Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens are both still appreciated. Mathys Tel could become a target again if Tottenham Hotspur don't take the option to buy him from Bayern Munich.

Chelsea's search for another winger is more with Mykhailo Mudryk's situation in mind than that of Jadon Sancho. Mudryk is currently serving a provisional ban after testing positive for the banned substance meldonium. Although the capital club are fully supporting him, Mudryk could face a four-year ban, or a lengthy process defending himself regardless of the outcome.

Maresca and influential figures behind the scenes will also decide at the end of the season whether to return Jadon Sancho to Manchester United for a £5m 'penalty' fee rather than proceed with an obligation to buy of up to £25m, which kicks in if Chelsea finish above 15th. This is already almost mathematically guaranteed.

Chelsea have Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap high in their thinking and will face competition from Manchester United and possibly Newcastle United as well. Delap is likely to be available for around £40m this summer since he has a relegation release clause set at this number. It is not thought Manchester City plan to trigger a buyback clause also set at this figure.

The Blues will also consider RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, two names featuring on Arsenal's list. Chelsea will likely enter the race for Newcastle's in-form striker Alexander Isak, but only if he genuinely becomes available.

Saudi Arabia remains most likely destination for frontman

Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, is currently less of a priority for Chelsea. The Nigerian striker has not changed his £250,000-per-week wage demands, while regardless of the number offered, he would have to agree to the Blues' incentive-driven structure.

Saudi Arabia remains the most likely destination for Osimhen, who is keen on a move to the Saudi Pro League after almost joining Al-Ahli last summer. It is believed Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Qadsiah and NEOM SC have all discussed him, but central dealmakers will ultimately decide the best fit.

Al-Ahli is viewed as an unlikely landing spot now that Ivan Toney has joined from Brentford, with head coach Mathias Jaissle wanting a holding midfielder, left-back and likely a No.10 since Roberto Firmino is set to depart.

This summer will also be key for Chelsea as they look to resolve ongoing issues with both the Premier League and UEFA. The Champions League qualification-chasers are in talks with the former over self-declared financial breaches under former owner Roman Abramovich, with a settlement the most likely outcome.

Chelsea already agreed a similar €10m settlement with UEFA over the same matter. Owners Clearlake-Boehly set aside £100m from the original £2.5bn sale price to deal with these inherited issues.

The Blues are also in fresh talks with UEFA over their current Financial Fair Play position. Although Chelsea Holding's 2023/24 accounts show a post-tax profit of £129.6m, this was only after selling their women's team to parent company BlueCo 22 for a profit of £200m. The Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules allow for this profit to form part of calculations, but UEFA rules do not.

Talks with UEFA are described as productive and amicable by sources, with another settlement the expected outcome. UEFA has the power to impose a European ban, but this is usually a punishment reserved for repeat offenders, or clubs who do not cooperate. Clearlake-Boehly gained stock with UEFA by immediately flagging breaches pre-dating them and there is optimism the current issue can be resolved. UEFA are expected to rule on the issue by the end of May.