Revealed: Chelsea targeting ‘significant transfer business’ this summer with up to six new signings

Mauricio Pochettino is set to oversee a Chelsea squad overhaul this summer with a blockbuster transfer window, according to reports.

The 51-year-old will officially take charge on July 1 after signing an initial two-year contract at Chelsea earlier this month.

He has been tasked with the challenge of trimming the bloated squad which endured a dismal 2022/23 campaign after finishing 12th in the Premier League, not qualifying for any European football next season.

It could have an affect on the type of transfer business Chelsea will attempt to carry out this summer, with the club prioritising offloading players before making any additions to the team.

Now, Tom Roddy of The Times reports Chelsea are ‘anticipating significant transfer business’ this summer and reveals ‘additions of between three and six players’ could be made.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo and Southampton’s Romeo Lavia have been linked with switches to Stamford Bridge, with Tom Roddy also reporting ‘at least one’ midfielder is wanted by Pochettino and Chelsea this summer.

A new goalkeeper and striker are being targeted by the Blues. Inter Milan pair Andre Onana and Lautaro Martinez are both of interest.

Meanwhile, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang all face uncertain futures in west London, while N’Golo Kante has agreed to join Saudi side Al-Ittihad on a free transfer once his Chelsea deal expires at the end of June.

The Chelsea ownership group are ‘optimistic about the future’ after outlining the new scouting and recruitment infrastructure having acknowledged ‘there is a lot we can and will do better’ following a dismal first year in the capital.

As communicated on the official Chelsea website, they said: “For all the challenges of the past year, we are optimistic about the future. We are looking forward to welcoming Mauricio Pochettino as the head coach of our men’s team in July. 

“We are building a modern scouting, talent identification, and recruiting infrastructure within our sporting department, led by Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, which will help us to identify and transform the squad around elite talent, a squad capable of consistently competing to win the Premier League, raise domestic cups and compete and win at the highest level in European football.

“We have also appointed Chris Jurasek as CEO to drive our business forward off the pitch, which in turn will make us more sustainable on the pitch.”