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Chelsea have had a summer to remember when it comes to signing players and it looks like fans could be treated to yet more spending, following a key update from journalist Simon Johnson.

Do Chelsea need more signings?

The Blues have made a disappointing start to life under Mauricio Pochettino, with their Premier League campaign flattering to deceive in the opening two matches.

While the 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool on the opening weekend was an adequate result, Sunday's 3-1 defeat away to West Ham was a shock to the system. Chelsea may have dominated chunks of proceedings, but they didn't create enough opportunities and their finishing wasn't good enough when chances did arrive.

The west Londoners may have spent big this summer, most notably signing the likes of Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Nicolas Jackson, but they still look short of elite quality currently, especially in attacking areas.

There is now less than two weeks of the summer transfer window remaining and failure to bring in one more wide option in the final third could ultimately prove costly.

Will Chelsea sign another attacker?

According to The Athletic's Johnson, Chelsea are still eyeing up another attacking signing this summer, although a new No.9 is out of the question, despite Christopher Nkunku's long-term injury after arriving from Borussia Dortmund:

"With the transfer window closing on September 1, there is still time for the chequebook to be used again. Chelsea have been looking at signing another attacking player anyway, but not a tried and tested No 9 as such.

"A move for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise broke down last week, while Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson was put on the wish list last month."

While rival fans may balk at Chelsea's need to bring in another attacker, given the money they have already spent since the end of last season, there is no question that they look short of reliable options in that area of the pitch.

Raheem Sterling was superb in a losing cause against West Ham, arguably producing his best performance yet in a Blues shirt, but he has been a disappointing signing so far, and his very best days could possibly be behind him.

Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk continues to experience a torrid time of things, failing to score in 19 Chelsea appearances and missing a glorious opportunity late in the day at West Ham, while Noni Madueke also hasn't had the desired impact.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

A move for Michael Olise has fallen through after he signed a new deal with Crystal Palace, so signing him is out of the question, but someone of a similar ilk could be ideal, in terms of a young wide talent who can combine pace, trickery and a steady flow of end product.

It looks as though Rennes winger Jeremy Doku is a possible option to come in and ease the Blues' woes, and the Belgium international could be a brilliant addition, having scored 12 goals and chipped in with a further ten assists for the Ligue 1 side to date.

Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou have finally been dealt the unenviable task of replacing one of the best strikers in the world. Already the countdown has started regarding finding someone to stand where he stood, with one outstanding target surely the obvious candidate.

Who could replace Harry Kane?

It is a saga that has dominated the whole summer window, but in the end it always felt like this window would be the one where Harry Kane finally left north London.

A true servant of the club, the England captain featured 435 times for the Lilywhites, remaining as professional and prolific as ever. He certainly came a long way from being branded a 'one-season wonder'.

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

But with the vast funds they are set to secure, and the time frame they have been handed to secure the man to step into the striker role, the north Londoners need look no further than a target of the past.

Whilst it was only reported late last month, perhaps now they could rekindle their interest in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani. After all, the reported €80m (£68m) price tag would mark but a fraction of what they will earn from the Kane departure.

How many goals did Randal Kolo Muani score last season?

Firstly, to lose a player of his calibre is to also lose an obscene amount of goals.

Last season saw the England captain notch 30 in the Premier League alone despite all their struggles, breaking Jimmy Greaves' record to become Spurs' all-time top scorer, and moving to within 47 of Alan Shearer's all-time Premier League record. Had he stayed at the club, it was expected he would reach the latter with ease.

So, whoever is enlisted must at least offset that huge vacancy left with a few strikes of their own, even if they aren't an exact copy of Kane.

After all, who is?

He could score, create, drop deep and hold the ball up, with Steven Gerrard lauding him for these qualities: "He’s relentless, and people will always speak about his goals, but the reason why I admire him so much is every part of his game is strong.

“His hold-up play – it's not easy playing with your back to play when you’ve got big defenders breathing down your neck, but he’s so strong. His touch is fantastic.

"He's one of the best passers of the ball in the Premier League, and in world football."

However, in the touted France international, they would be swapping out his ability to hold up the ball for speed and willingness to stretch defences in behind or down the channels.

After all, with 23 goals and 17 assists across all competitions last season, he could more than makeup for what they are set to lose.

In fact, his quality in front of goal has been outlined by none other than German legend Lothar Matthaus: "He has remarkable technical ability, he's ice-cold in front of goal and he really throws himself into challenges. The most impressive thing is that he's performing in every game. I can't remember a match where he's played badly. That's the mark of a future superstar."

With the ability to play on either wing, but a preference to star through the centre, his athleticism and dynamic play style will offer a refreshing change of pace to align with Postecoglou's all-action philosophy.

That versatility is best outlined through the claims of his special teammate Kylian Mbappe, who noted: "He is a striker who offers different game options to our team. He is very complete and has an impressive volume of play."

Should he translate his form and willingness to work into new surroundings in north London, it could take fans no time at all to move on from their legendary marksman and begin heralding a new hero in N17.

One Wolverhampton Wanderers target in particular can be an 'upgrade' on now-departed Republic of Ireland international Nathan Collins, journalist Dean Jones has suggested.

So, who are Wolverhampton Wanderers actually targeting?

According to The Sun, Stuttgart defender Mavropanos is a target for Wolves this summer alongside West Ham United as both sides aim to strengthen their respective backlines before the transfer window slams shut.

Serie A giants Napoli are also monitoring his situation as they look to find a replacement for Kim Min-jae, who has joined Thomas Tuchel's Bayern Munich.

Last season, Greece international Mavropanos, who earns £12,500 per week, made 34 appearances across all competitions for Stuttgart, registering three goals and one assist in his time on the field, as per Transfermarkt.

Wolves have already lost defensive experience in Conor Coady to Leicester City this window alongside former centre-back Collins, as Brentford snapped up his services in early July for a club-record fee of £23 million, as cited by Sky Sports.

The Old Gold have added just Matt Doherty and Tom King to their ranks on free transfers as Financial Fair Play problems continue to butcher their chances of bringing in a host of new arrivals.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Mavropanos could be a better fit for Wolves than Collins; however, he wonders if a deal would be able to be completed in light of their financial complexities.

Jones told FFC: "Mavroponos is an interesting target and if they could pull it off I think many would look at it as an upgrade on Collins. I find it hard to trust Wolves at the moment as they have had good intentions in this market but just haven’t been able to back a lot of it up. The communication around transfers has been pretty bad and obviously Lopetegui could not handle that anymore. Wolves need some good news soon so it would not surprise me if they somehow push the boat out to land a signing on the back of this managerial mess."

What now for Wolverhampton Wanderers?

In a whirlwind couple of days, Wolves have parted company with Julen Lopetegui due to 'broken promises' regarding his spending power off the back of receiving nearly £70 million in player sales, as per Sky Sports.

High earners such as Adama Traore, Diego Costa and Joao Moutinho have also left the club, though the Spaniard reportedly 'lost faith' with the hierarchy at the Old Gold after being told that he had little to no money to reinvest into his squad.

Since then, former Bournemouth manager Gary O'Neil has been appointed and charged with the task of navigating some exceedingly difficult circumstances at Molineux, BBC Sport report.

Matt Hobbs, who is sporting director at Wolves, commented on O'Neil being hired in the aftermath of the process being completed, stating: "Gary's a highly motivated young coach with strong principles. "It's an opportunity to do something different with an up-and-coming British coach and from the people we met, Gary was clearly the right person."

Wolves start the 2023/24 campaign with the mammoth task of a trip to Old Trafford next Monday, where O'Neil will hope to inspire some hope among supporters in a tumultuous time of things at the Old Gold, as per ESPN.

Chelsea are attempting to complete a major midfield overhaul before their opening game of the season against Liverpool on Sunday.

The Blues have been relentlessly chasing Moises Caicedo all summer, and it is understood that talks have progressed well this week.

Last night, the 2021 Champions League winners submitted a £48m bid for Romeo Lavia and will await to see how Southampton proceed.

However, a storyline that has massively swooped under the radar is their interest is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

What’s the latest on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea?

According to the Guardian, Chelsea have been linked with the 24-year-old gem, but Leicester City do not want to sell the midfielder.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

Reputable journalist Simon Phillips provided an update on the situation, stating that contact with his agent has occurred. The player is reportedly ‘happy’ to stay at the King Power Stadium and help them get back to the Premier League, but if the west Londoners accelerate their attempts to sign the midfielder, he’s ‘likely to want the move.’

Phillips also revealed that ‘at least’ eight top-flight sides are keenly tracking Dewsbury-Hall, including Liverpool, who similarly Chelsea, are prioritising midfield reinforcements.

Would Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall be a good signing for Chelsea?

Since making his Premier League debut in August 2021, the £20k-per-week livewire has established himself as one of Leicester’s most consistent and effervescent assets.

During this time, he has become renowned for his intoxicating energy, industrious work-rate and intricate dribbling. Over the past 365 days, compared to his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues, the tenacious engine ranks within the top 12% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as well as the best 1% for blocks per 90.

Ahead of Leicester’s unenviable task of targeting promotion, Dewsbury-Hall has already emphatically demonstrated that he is a key performer for Enzo Maresca. In the first game against Coventry, the 5 foot 10 dynamo netted twice in a 2-1 comeback victory with a towering header and a ferocious strike that nestled in the top corner.

He also completed three key passes, five accurate long balls, two tackles, and won 80% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

This performance generated huge praise from opposition manager Mark Robins, who said Dewsbury-Hall could be “one of the best players at this level” this season.

When assessing his style of play, Brendan Rodgers summarised it by saying:

“He is very honest to the game. He has great industry. He runs, works and presses, and he has quality. As a No 8, his job is to create goals and score goals. He’s made a real impact with his honesty and quality.”

As a hybrid between a box-to-box midfielder and an advanced eight, Mauricio Pochettino could develop Dewsbury-Hall in the same manner that Christian Eriksen gloriously flourished under the Argentine coach.

In 255 appearances under Pochettino in North London, the Dane was scintillating, recording 134 goal involvements.

Eriksen’s role was particularly important, acting as the link between the ruthless attacking triumvirate of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Son Heung-min, and the formidable defensive pivot of Moussa Dembele and Victor Wanyama.

In the Argentine's current Chelsea set-up, Dewsbury-Hall, who has been described as “top-class” by Rodgers, could be afforded a similar role, whilst providing more defensive stability.

The next step of Dewsbury-Hall’s career is to pinpoint some elusive output, which could be unlocked in an exciting new era for the Blues.

Chelsea will be hoping their 12th place Premier League finish last term was a one off as Mauricio Pochettino prepares to lead them into the new campaign.

It has been a busy transfer window so far, with 13 players departing and six new arrivals. The squad has been significantly trimmed, not only to free up the wage budget and provide more funds, but to also comply with the financial fair play regulations.

The Argentinian isn’t stopping there however, and a move for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic could be next.

How much will Dusan Vlahovic cost Chelsea?

When the Stamford Bridge outfit first showed interest in the 23-year-old talisman at the beginning of July, the Serie A side valued him at £70m, which was around the fee they had paid to sign him from Fiorentina in 2022.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

Pochettino may be able to drive this fee down by offering Romelu Lukaku as a part of a potential swap deal according to Fabrizio Romano.

He discussed the potential deal for Vlahovic on his YouTube channel, saying:

"For Dusan Vlahovic, Mauricio Pochettino – Chelsea manager – is thinking about that.

"He will take some days, it will be the weekend probably, to discuss internally, of course, with the board, but basically, for Chelsea, the decision is to wait for something else for Romelu Lukaku or to go next week into negotiations with Juventus and reach an agreement for the swap deal: Lukaku, Vlahovic.

"So it has to be a strategy, but it is also important to understand what Pochettino wants to do with Dusan Vlahovic because more than one month ago, Chelsea said no to the swap deal between Lukaku and Vlahovic. Now Juventus are offering that again, they want €40m (£34m) as part of the deal.”

Will Dusan Vlahovic improve Chelsea?

Considering the Blues scored just 38 Premier League goals last season, luring a player with the quality that Vlahovic possesses could only improve this tally during 2023/24.

The Serbian international didn’t enjoy the most productive of campaigns for Juventus during 2022/23, scoring 14 times across all competitions, which was a drop from his tally of 29 goals the season before.

The Blues have signed Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, and he could certainly get the former Fiorentina hitman firing again, forging a dream duo with him in the process.

The Frenchman ranked in the top 6% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.28) across Europe’s big five leagues over the previous 365 days, while also ranking in the top 7% for progressive passes (3.44) and top 8% for successful take-ons (1.68) per 90, indicating just how effective he is at working the ball forward and creating chances for others.

This could only benefit Vlahovic, who averaged 2.5 shots per game for Juventus last term, ranking him first across the whole squad, while he also topped the pile for goals scored and should he be on the receiving end of the excellent service from Nkunku, his goal tally will surely increase.

Former defender Micah Richards lauded the striker back in 2021, saying the Old Lady goal machine was “lightning” while also claiming that the forward had a “wand” of a left foot, and he could be an excellent addition to the Chelsea squad.

Nkunku impressed during pre-season, scoring three goals in four matches and if Pochettino combines his creative talents alongside the attacking qualities of Vlahovic, he could create a scary duo which will terrorise Premier League defenders.

Arsenal seem to be a quiet contender to pull off one of the greatest transfers the Premier League would have ever seen…

Is Kylian Mbappe leaving Paris Saint-Germain?

That's according to Football Transfers, who attest that the Gunners are keeping a close eye on the developing situation regarding Kylian Mbappe's drawn-out exit from Paris Saint-Germain.

With Sky Sports having detailed the deterioration of the relationship between player and club, suggesting the former is willing to sacrifice his next year of football in order to leave for free next summer, many clubs have been put on high alert as such a generational asset becomes available.

Not least Mikel Arteta, who will reportedly use Gabriel Martinelli as a makeweight to convince the Parisian giants to allow him to join them.

A package is in place for the France international should he choose an Emirates switch, although it would hinge on the move happening in January or next summer.

It had previously been suggested that his exit would not come unless a €200m (£173m) fee was stumped up, although that could drop dramatically given the fresh update.

How many goals does Kylian Mbappe have?

It does not need much to outline just how utterly exceptional Mbappe is and would be wherever he chooses to play.

With 212 goals in 260 games for PSG and a total of 244 strikes across an already illustrious career thus far, the 24-year-old truly has the world at his feet.

Even teammate Neymar would agree with that notion, as he claimed last year: "He’s a world-class player, present and future of this club. I’m very happy that Kylian – who’s my friend and teammate – he’s staying here at Paris."

It, therefore, goes without saying that he would walk into virtually every team in the world, even if elite stars stand in their way.

Martinelli enjoyed arguably the best year of his career since moving to north London and finished as the club's joint-top scorer as they made the lofty step up to title challengers.

Scoring 15 times and assisting a further six across all competitions, it is hard to imagine many who would even challenge the 22-year-old, let alone completely usurp him.

However, his tally pales in comparison to his potential successor, who notched 41 goals and assisted a further ten in just 43 games in all competitions in France.

What makes Mbappe even more special, aside from his remarkable goalscoring figures, is the imperious technical quality he boasts on the ball.

His dribbling technique is exemplary, and his creativity is unparalleled. When compared to other forwards across Europe, he ranks in the top 5% for progressive passes per 90, the best 1% for progressive carries per 90, and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, via FBref.

The former AS Monaco star is the perfect all-around attacking package, and for all Martinelli's progress in recent years, there is little chance he will grow to such an unparalleled level.

Upon securing the Brazilian's contract extension, Arteta noted earlier this year: "He’s a player with enormous potential – he still has so many things to improve but he’s already performing at a really high level.

“He can develop physically. He can develop mentally. He can develop in terms of consistency. He can develop defensively. He can develop in the final third and in the spaces that he occupies. His numbers can be improved, and he’s so willing – that’s the best thing about Gabi."

Whilst this is outlined to excite fans at the ceiling he boasts, there are a few attributes with which Mbappe could improve. It is this gulf that separates the two, with his potential acquisition set to turn Arsenal from mere contenders into the team to beat.

Tottenham Hotspur have identified Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher as a replacement for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and manager Ange Postecoglou is a big fan.

Who will Spurs sign?

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has backed Postecoglou with a handful of noteworthy additions so far, sealing deals for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, playmaker James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon.

All three have made their debuts already, specifically during Tottenham's 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat to West Ham this week, with Postecoglou professing his excitement about working with Maddison even before that game.

“Really excited to get James as part of the group," explained the Spurs manager.

“Any manager will tell you that part of the key to being a dominant team is having multiple attacking threats and having a midfielder who can score and create goals.

“I thought it was a really good fit for us to look for a player like James – even better if we could get James, so we ended up getting James."

Their transfer priority right now appears to be in central defence, with Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, Barcelona's Clement Lenglet, Galatasary's Victor Nelsson and Juventus star Gleison Bremer all being linked.

However, according to The Daily Mail, the north Londoners could also sign more new midfielders after Maddison with a star regular from last season, Hojbjerg, potentially joining Atletico Madrid this summer.

The Denmark international is apparently open to it with discussions ongoing, and to succeed Hojbjerg, Spurs have their eyes on a number of targets – including Gallagher of Chelsea.

He's apparently "emerged as a candidate" for the Lilywhites to replace their midfield star, with Postecoglou being a personal fan of the 23-year-old "believes he would fit in well" with his plans.

Gallagher's energetic approach is particular draw for the 57-year-old, but as things stand, Chelsea would be reluctant to sell the Englishman given their shortage of midfielders.

How good is Conor Gallagher?

On loan at Crystal Palace over 2021/2022, Gallagher dazzled as one of the Eagles' best-performing players by average match rating, according to WhoScored, and chipped in with eight goals and three assists.

Gallagher featured regularly for Chelsea last season, too, making 35 league appearances whilst scoring three goals and adding a further assist (WhoScored).

Former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel, speaking to the media on Gallagher last year, claimed his development is "extraordinary" and raved over his brilliant potential.

“His development is extraordinary and outstanding," said Tuchel.

“He was a pleasure to coach in pre-season – he has so much positive energy, so much energy in general and so much work-rate to give that he can of course be a big help and a big influence.”

Meanwhile, former Tottenham star Jermaine Jenas told Match of the Day (via The Sun), that Gallagher can be a "game-changer".

“I think he is a game-changer aswell Conor Gallagher. He’s the type of player that you bring on and he has an impact on the game.

“Also, he’s won a World Cup. He was part of the U17 World Cup-winning side so he understands tournament football and I’m pleased for Conor.”

Both Wilfred Gnonto and Tyler Adams could sign new deals at Leeds United following their relegation from the Premier League according to Phil Hay

The pair were two of the Yorkshire club's best performers last season as the side suffered relegation from the top flight.

Will Tyler Adams and Wilfred Gnonto play for Leeds United next season?

Leeds will be hoping that both players stay at the club.

The American and Italian internationals both arrived at Elland Road in the summer of 2022 for £20m and £3.8m respectively, and both impressed in what was a disappointing campaign for the club.

Adams was incredibly impressive, with his 6.73 average rating on WhoScored being the highest in the entire Leeds squad, whilst Sky Sports pundit Stephan Warnock was full of praise after his Man of the Match performance against Liverpool in October, saying: “Tyler Adams, what a performance! He is not a pleasing player on the eye that’s going to hit 50 to 60 yard diagonals. He’s not going to dictate the speed of play. But what he’s going to do, he’s going to be a menace and he’s going to be a player who closes down extremely well. Magnificent performance from an extremely important player for Leeds.”

Gnonto also looked bright in his first season following his move from FC Zurich, with the 19-year-old managing eight goal contributions across all competitions for the Whites, with goals against the likes of Manchester United and West Ham United showing that the player with promising potential could also deliver. Former Leeds caretaker manager Michael Skubala heaped praise on the forward after his display at Old Trafford, stating: “He’s a great lad, he’s a special player. He’s a credit to Leeds, he’s a credit to himself and he’s a really nice player to work with.”

Both players have attracted interest from Premier League sides this window, with Adams reportedly a target of Aston Villa, whilst Gnonto was the subject of a £15m bid from Everton which the club rejected.

Speaking on The Square Ball podcast, when asked whether Gnonton and Adams staying could be tied in with a new contract, Hay revealed that Leeds may be able to tie down both players to new deals: “I suspect so with Gnonto and potentially with Adams as well. I think it would have to be some carrot with it to persuade them that it was the right thing to do. It’s slightly different for Gnonto to Adams, they’re at different stages in their career, Adams clearly USA captain already and has the World Cup coming up, but I don’t necessarily feel that for either of them a really good season in the championship, a promotion year in the championship would damage them or their reputation”

Should Adams and Gnonto stay at Leeds?

It could be beneficial for the duo to stay at Leeds this season

For Gnonto, interest from Everton may not represent the biggest step forward in his career. The Toffees only just survived relegation on the last day of the season thanks to a 1-0 victory against Bournemouth, and are expected to be in a similar situation next season, whilst Leeds could bounce straight back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking. Ultimately it will come down to whether Gnonto believes he needs to play Premier League football next season, or whether a strong season in England's second tier will keep him in the Italian national team and keep his development on track.

It's more difficult in regard to Adams' situation, as the interest in him from Aston Villa and West Ham would give the USA international the opportunity to return to playing European football in either the Europa League or the Conference League. The midfielder may also be in line for more regular starts at the Hammers following the departure of club captain Declan Rice for £105m, with the club needing a replacement in his position, which Adams played in last season for the Whites.

Leeds will be desperate to keep their star players as they give them the best chance at bouncing straight back up from the championship, and new deals would do just that amid Premier League interest.

Liverpool are believed to be eyeing a summer move for Manchester City and England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to an important update from reliable journalist James Pearce.

How old is Kalvin Phillips?

The former Leeds United hero, who is now 27 years of age, moved to the Etihad last summer. Phillips' first season as a City player proved to be an extremely frustrating one on a personal level, however, even though he was part of a team that won the treble in impressive fashion. He was limited to only two Premier League starts in the whole campaign, with a mixture of injuries and adjusting to his new club both proving to be problematic.

It remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola will retain the Englishman's services beyond the summer transfer window, but if he is allowed to leave, he surely won't be without suitors.

Liverpool are in the market for more midfield signings, with Fabinho and Jordan Henderson both looking highly likely to depart for Saudi Arabia in the coming days, and it looks as though the City man could be on their radar.

Could Liverpool sign Kalvin Phillips?

Taking to Twitter, Pearce named Phillips as one of a number of possible Liverpool midfield signings to replace Fabinho, as the Reds eye up further reinforcements:

'In terms of replacing Fabinho, Moises Caicedo is not viewed as a serious option with the Brighton midfielder expected to join Chelsea. Romeo Lavia, Sofyan Amrabat, Ryan Gravenberch and Kalvin Phillips are among those under consideration."

Phillips has enjoyed an impressive rise in recent years, becoming a regular for England at Euro 2020 and even being hailed as "superb" by Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi, who spoke of his admiration for both the City ace and Declan Rice.

While he is undoubtedly a good player while international experience – he enjoyed a 92.6% pass completion rate in the Premier League last season – there are clear negatives working against him joining Liverpool this summer.

At 27, he wouldn't represent a younger option whose best years are definitely ahead of him, while his recent injury problems would also make him a risky purchase, at a time when the Reds have constantly been hampered by fitness issues for various midfielders, whether it be Thiago, Curtis Jones or Naby Keita, to name just a few.

Phillips, on £150,000-a-week and shares the same agency as Ibrahima Konate, also may not come on the cheap, considering his current deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2028, and he could bring with him an English premium, so there are ultimately too many things working against Liverpool signing him. Whether City would even want to sell to one of their biggest Premier League rivals is also a potential drawback.

Jurgen Klopp needs to be eyeing younger alternatives, with some of those mentioned in Pearce' update making more sense, especially 19-year-old Romeo Lavia, who shone so much for Southampton last season – he averaged 2.1 tackles per match in the league in 2022/23 – and may well be seen as a much longer-term addition by the Reds.

Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion have a "great relationship" and are "talking about a deal behind the scenes" for Ecuadorian superstar Moises Caicedo, claims transfer insider Ben Jacobs.

It's hoped that the informal conversations between the two sides will increase the likelihood of an official bid being accepted at the first time of asking.

Chelsea transfer news – What's the latest on Moises Caicedo to Chelsea?

There's no such thing as a quiet transfer window at Stamford Bridge, and that has once again been borne out this year, with the West London club engaging in something of a fire sale over the last few weeks.

The club have shipped off several players from the team that helped them win their second Champions League two years ago to the ludicrously wealthy Saudi Pro League while seeing academy graduates Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mason Mount join AC Milan and Manchester United, respectively.

There have also been a few incomings in the guise of Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig and youngster Diego Moreira from Benfica B.

However, the biggest signing the Pensioners look set to make over the coming weeks is midfield maestro Caicedo, who has been hailed as the "crown jewel", with the Guardian reporting that the Seagulls want £100m.

What has journalist Ben Jacobs said about the situation surrounding Moises Caicedo and Chelsea?

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "The clubs have got a great relationship and rather than going back and forwards with formal offers, they're very much talking about a deal behind the scenes to try and see what is possible, verbally and slightly more informally.

"So, when, and I think it is fair to say when, Chelsea place a formal offer, again, for Moises Caicedo, there's a higher confidence that there'll be a framework there for success or just an offer actually being accepted.

Who are Chelsea's most expensive signings ever?

Chelsea are a club that has become synonymous with free-spending and extravagance since their takeover by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich in 2003.

That hasn't changed under their new owners and Todd Boehly; if anything, they're spending more, breaking the record for the most amount spent in the January transfer window earlier this year, forking out an eye-watering £323m on eight players in just a month. So who are their three most expensive signings ever?

In third spot is new boy and Ukrainian international Mykhailo Mudryk, who joined Chelsea this January in a deal work £88.5m after being heavily linked to Arsenal for much of the preceding month.

It's fair to say that things haven't gone entirely to plan for the tricky winger yet, as other than a brief cameo against Liverpool in February, he is yet to show fans why he cost as much as he did, with no goals and just two assists in his 15 Premier League appearances.

Coming in at number two is Belgian international Romelu Lukaku, who the Blues spent a hefty £97.7m on to prise from Inter Milan, something they undoubtedly regret doing now.

To say the former Everton man's time in West London has been a disaster would be an understatement, as, after a poor first season at the club, he was immediately loaned back to Inter, who now look set to re-sign him for a fraction of what they sold him for.

And Chlesea's most expensive signing in the club's history is another new boy, World Cup-winning midfielder Enzo Fernandez who cost a whopping £106.8m from Benfica.

Unlike Mudryk, Fernandez has already shown some promise in midfield and, under Mauricio Pochettino, could flourish and end up being well worth the massive outlay the club paid to get him.