Chelsea are targeting Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho while working on a string of sales to clear space in Enzo Maresca’s squad.
The Premier League season is almost here, but Chelsea are not slowing down in the transfer market. Enzo Maresca’s squad could see four more moves — a mix of sales and signings — completed before the weekend, with the Xavi Simons deal top of the agenda.
Simons, 22, is one of two high-profile arrivals Chelsea are working on before the September 1 deadline. Talks with RB Leipzig are advanced over price and structure, with personal terms already broadly agreed. The Blues hope to complete the move soon to give Simons time to adapt, but the deal could hinge on outgoing transfers being finalised in the next few days.
Outgoings to Fund the Moves
Chelsea’s sales drive is in full swing. Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Raheem Sterling, and Ben Chilwell are all available. David Datro Fofana is set to find a new club, and Alfie Gilchrist is expected to move to the EFL.
The biggest potential windfall could come from Carney Chukwuemeka, with Borussia Dortmund keen to bring him back to the Bundesliga. While his £40m release clause won’t be met, Chelsea are hopeful of a sizeable fee. RB Leipzig have also tracked him this summer.
Garnacho Deal Could Go Late
After Manchester United’s £75m signing of Benjamin Sesko, Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho. United want to cash in, but Chelsea believe they can negotiate a lower fee and are willing to wait until the final days of the window.
The Blues are also exploring the idea of using Christopher Nkunku as part of a wider transfer puzzle, although any swap would need to be handled as a separate deal.
Nicolas Jackson’s Uncertain Future
Nicolas Jackson was left out of both Chelsea’s weekend friendlies as the club look for buyers. Newcastle United are one of the few clubs who could afford him, but their interest depends on Alexander Isak’s future. Chelsea will demand a high price, using Sesko’s fee as a benchmark.
“Chelsea are in a position where key sales could trigger major signings — but the domino effect needs to fall quickly.” — Transfer insider
Xavi Simons – 2024/25 Stats
| Stat (2024/25) | Xavi Simons |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 12 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% |
Summary: Simons delivered 9 goals and 12 assists for Leipzig last season across all competitions, maintaining an 87% pass accuracy — elite numbers for a creative midfielder.
Analyst Verdict
From watching Simons last term, his versatility to play centrally or wide makes him a perfect fit for Maresca’s positional play. Garnacho’s pace and directness could give Chelsea a different dimension, but the key is freeing up the wage bill and squad spots.
If Chelsea can move Veiga, Disasi, Chukwuemeka, and Fofana quickly, they’ll be in a strong position to land both targets before the visit to West Ham on August 22.
Key Insights
- Chelsea pushing for Simons, Garnacho before deadline.
- Outgoings: Veiga, Disasi, Sterling, Chilwell, Fofana, Chukwuemeka.
- Garnacho deal likely to go down to final days of window.
- Jackson’s future linked to Newcastle and Isak situation.
What’s Next
Chelsea’s opening Premier League match is at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday, but Simons is unlikely to feature unless talks accelerate this week. The following fixtures — West Ham (Aug 22) and Fulham (Aug 30) — are seen as key targets for debut opportunities.
With less than three weeks left in the window, the Blues are bracing for a hectic spell of transfer activity — and possibly one of the most dramatic ends to a summer window at Stamford Bridge in years.
Should Chelsea prioritise Simons first — or hold fire to land both him and Garnacho together?
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