Gusto not for sale, Chelsea slap £75m price tag on him
Malo Gusto is staying, for now. Manchester City and Bayern Munich have asked about the right-back, but Chelsea are not actively looking to sell. The club value him at £75m (8).
Marco Palestra is arriving from Atalanta for €55m+, a deal Fabrizio Romano gave his "here we go" to, but Chelsea see Gusto as part of the squad, not someone to be pushed out (1) (8). Xabi Alonso will have both to work with.
Marco Palestra, first signing of the Alonso era
Chelsea have a verbal agreement with Atalanta for Marco Palestra. The Italian wing-back said yes to the project Wednesday night and will sign until June 2032 (1) (4) (5) (6) (13).
Get the next Chelsea FC brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
The fee is around €55m plus add-ons. Atalanta's loss is Chelsea's gain. Palestra gives Alonso his first real tactical option, a player who can run the flank and stretch teams (13).
Reece James has a hamstring scare at the World Cup
Your captain felt something. Reece James reported discomfort after England's draw with Ghana and faces a fitness check before the Panama match (3) (7).
It is the same story Chelsea fans know too well. James' hamstring has been the club's recurring nightmare, and a flare-up during a World Cup is the last thing anyone wanted. No official word yet on severity, but the check is Thursday (3) (7).
Trevoh Chalobah told he can leave, Como bid
Fabrizio Romano reports Trevoh Chalobah has been told he can leave Chelsea this summer. Como have sent an initial official bid. Inter are also watching the centre-back (4) (10).
Chalobah started regularly last season. His exit would mark a clear defensive reset under Alonso. The player is focused on the World Cup, but Champions League clubs are circling (10).
Chelsea ready £50m Lacroix bid as defensive rebuild takes shape
Maxence Lacroix is the target. Chelsea are preparing a £50m offer for the Crystal Palace and France centre-back as they hunt a ready-made defender (4) (15).
The Athletic also confirm Chelsea are looking at two options in the same position, with the club wanting someone who can step straight in (12). A Lacroix-Chalobah swap dynamic is forming.
Cucurella wants Enzo Fernandez at Real Madrid
Marc Cucurella is not being subtle. "He's a great player and a friend of mine," he said of Enzo Fernandez. "I hope it happens. I would be very happy. We were very happy at Chelsea, and to have the opportunity to both sign for Real Madrid in the same summer… I hope he's lucky and becomes a Real Madrid player" (6).
Chelsea value Fernandez at £120m, and Real Madrid have yet to make formal contact, but talks on the player side are underway (4). Some reports suggest Chelsea should demand a Madrid player in return if the deal goes through (2).
Geovany Quenda arrives this Saturday
The wait is almost over. Geovany Quenda makes his permanent move to London on Saturday, finally arriving after his deal was struck earlier (11). The young winger will join Alonso's squad for preseason.
Nicolas Jackson return gives Alonso a striker dilemma
Nicolas Jackson is back from the World Cup, and Alonso has a decision to make. Last season was grim up front, Liam Delap managed one league goal, and Jackson's return forces the new manager to figure out who leads the line (16).
Fan-reaktioner
The mood is mixed but leaning positive. Palestra's signing has fans excited about the Alonso project, though the six-year contract raised some eyebrows. The Chalobah exit is dividing opinion, many feel he earned more loyalty after last season. Cucurella publicly recruiting Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid stung. Read the full discussion
