Palestra is a Chelsea player, £47m done
Marco Palestra signed on July 1. £47m from Atalanta, and the 20-year-old right-back is already talking like a Chelsea player (1) (7). “I feel a lot of energy from him. He is one of the best managers in the world, he won at Bayer Leverkusen,” Palestra said of Xabi Alonso. “I have had two conversations with him and I'm very happy because he told me what he wanted from me” (1). The message is clear: Alonso wanted him, and he wanted Alonso.
Xhaka wants in, Chelsea going again
Granit Xhaka is pushing hard to leave Sunderland and reunite with Alonso at Chelsea (2). The first bid, £8m, was turned down flat. Sunderland insist their 33-year-old captain is not for sale (2) (8). Chelsea are preparing an improved second offer (12). Fabrizio Romano: “Today, Chelsea is getting dead serious about him. Xhaka wants back into London and is pushing hard” (2).
Enzo Fernández wants Real Madrid
Enzo Fernández is pushing for a move to Real Madrid this summer (5) (10). Alonso reportedly wants to keep him, but the midfielder's camp are working on an exit (5). It is one of the first big tests of Alonso's authority, lose a World Cup winner before the season even starts, or hold the line.
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City circling for Malo Gusto
Chelsea have named their price for Malo Gusto and Manchester City are interested (4). The Palestra signing now makes more sense, Alonso has his replacement already in the building if Gusto goes. No fee confirmed, but Chelsea are not making it easy for City (4).
Chavarria bid lands short
Chelsea submitted a bid of around €12m for Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria. Rayo want closer to €20m (3) (11). Cover for Marc Cucurella is a priority for Alonso, but the clubs are far apart. Rayo's release clause reportedly sits at €50m, Chelsea are nowhere near that (3).
Emegha arrives, striker puzzle grows
Emanuel Emegha has joined Chelsea, giving Alonso another option up front (6). The striker position was already crowded. Someone will have to make way, and Alonso will need to decide quickly who leads the line.
James and Chalobah into the last 16
Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah are through to the World Cup knockout stages with England (13). Belgium, featuring Mike Penders, also qualified, Nicolas Jackson and Mamadou Sarr went out with Senegal.
Fan reactions
The mood on the subreddit is split between excitement over Palestra and frustration at the Xhaka chase. Many fans see the £8m opening bid as unserious and want the club to move faster. Read the full discussion here. The rejected Chavarria bid drew sharper reactions, the gap between Chelsea's €12m offer and the €50m release clause was called “embarrassing” by some. Thread here. Meanwhile, speculation about defensive departures is everywhere, Tosin is reportedly on Como's radar and a four-player sweetener was floated for the Lacroix deal.
