Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Neymar, Wesley Fofana, and other summer 2022 window player signings, loans & deals

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel gives a thumbs up
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With Todd Boehly now at the helm of Chelsea, the Blues can begin to ramp up their summer transfer window, with plenty of changes in store for the club.

The club previously looked set for an uncertain build up to the 2022-23 Premier League season due to Roman Abramovich's sanctioning by the UK Government due to his alleged links with Vladimir Putin, but Boehly came to the rescue, purchasing the club and installing himself temporarily as Sporting Director.

With his guidance, moves have already been made to bring in the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and more transfers are expected. There's also been plenty of movement out of Stamford Bridge, with Antonio Rudiger departing on a free transfer to Real Madrid while Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan on loan.

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Latest Chelsea transfer news

Last update: Sep 2, 16:00 ET / 21:00 BST

Alonso joins Barcelona

Marcos Alonso has left Chelsea by mutual consent after six years at the club in which he won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League, to name some of his trophies.

The left-back, who scored 29 goals for the club, has almost immediately joined Barcelona.

'I'm really happy and proud'

Switzerland midfielder Denis Zakaria has joined Chelsea on loan from Italian side Juventus.

The defensive midfielder will wear the number 20 during his season-long loan and is ineligible to play against West Ham on Saturday.

Batshuayi joins Fenerbahce

Michy Batshuayi enjoyed his time in Istanbul when he was on loan at Besiktas in 2021-22, scoring 14 times in 42 games.

Now the striker has joined another huge Istanbul club, Fenerbahce, on a permanent basis. The fee is "substantial", according to Inside Futbol.

Aubameyang returns to English football

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang became one of the final players whose transfer to a Premier League club was confirmed before the transfer window closed.

The former Arsenal top scorer has been reunited with Tuchel - who he worked with at German side Borussia Dortmund - for a reported £10.8m.

PSG backflip on Neymar offer

The Times claim PSG won't be selling Neymar this summer after Chelsea were led to believe the Brazilian may have been available.

While the Blues won't be getting Neymar, they are in talks to sign both Rafael Leao and Edson Alvarez. 

Chelsea seal deal for Fofana

Chelsea have officially announced a deal for Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana. 

The Blues have had to pay a transfer fee of £70 million for the 21-year-old, who himself was handed a seven-year deal. 

"It’s a dream for me because I’m very young and Chelsea is in my heart. Now I’m sitting here so I’m very happy," Fofana said in his first interview with Chelsea

Ampadu set for Chelsea exit

Ethan Ampadu is set to leave Chelsea in favour of a loan move to Spezia, according to Fabrizio Romano

The English defender will join the Italian club on loan but with a buy option clause of around €15 million. 

Ampadu, 21, has been with the Blues since 2017 but has been loaned out for the past three seasons.

UPDATE (SEPT. 2): The move has been confirmed on a season-long agreement.

Aubameyang reportedly agrees to personal terms with Chelsea 

While a rumor linking Chelsea to Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cropped up in early August, the links faded quickly as a report from Spain claimed Xavi saw his striker as "untransferrable."

However, the move continues to gain momentum, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that personal terms have now been agreed upon, with discussions around a transfer fee ongoing.

This follows reports from David Ornstein of The Athletic on August 19 that Chelsea had submitted an official bid for Aubameyang. The bid is reportedly worth £15 million (€18m / $18.2m) plus Marcos Alonso.

The Chelsea defender has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, with Thomas Tuchel even seeming to confirm that he will leave, but the Blues now appear to be using him as a bargaining chip.

Palmieri to head to West Ham

Chelsea defender Emerson Palmieri has agreed to a contract with fellow Premier League club West Ham, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Palmieri is set to sign with the Hammers until 2027 on a deal worth £13m ($15.3m) plus £2m ($2.3m) in add-ons.

The 28-year-old has only made 33 appearances for the Blues in his four years at Stamford Bridge, most recently spending the 2021-22 season on loan with Lyon.

UPDATE (Aug 23): West Ham's deal for Palmieri has now been confirmed with the defender joining the club on a four-year deal with the option for one more. 

Pulisic has change of heart over Man United move

Christian Pulisic emerged as a possible loan target for Manchester United after finding himself on the fringes of Thomas Tuchel's plans at Chelsea.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the USA international has re-evaluated his situation in recent days while United have explored the possibility of signing Antony from Ajax or Cody Gakpo from PSV. It now seems Pulisic could decide to stay and fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea in shock Maguire enquiry

Chelsea asked Manchester United about the availability of club captain Harry Maguire, according to the Daily Mail.

The report claimed the Blues asked about whether the defender could form part of any deal to take Christian Pulisic to Old Trafford. Maguire's future has come under scrutiny amid suggestions he could be dropped for Monday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.

A day later, The Guardian said United had made it clear Maguire was not for sale, but Chelsea could return to United with further enquiries should any deal for Wesley Fofana fall through. 

Chelsea confirm Casadei deal

Chelsea have completed the signing of Cesare Casadei from Inter Milan on a six-year deal.

The Blues have forked out an initial £12.6million fee for the midfielder in a deal that could rise by a further £4.2m in add-ons should certain criteria be met.

Head of youth development Neil Bath said: ‘Cesare is a player we have tracked for some time and we are delighted that he has now agreed to join Chelsea, where he will initially strengthen our Under-21s squad. He is another exciting emerging talent who we are looking forward to seeing develop and progress further as he breaks into senior football in the coming years.’

Everton reject Chelsea bid for Anthony Gordon

Chelsea have unsuccessfully offered Everton £40 million for Everton attacker Anthony Gordon, according to BBC Sport and ESPN.

The Blues are expected to make a higher offer for the 21-year-old, who has started the Toffees' first two Premier League games this season. 

Aside from more money, Everton may also be tempted to let Gordon go in exchange for a player in return with Armando Broja and Conor Gallagher both previously linked with interest from Frank Lampard's side. Gordon came through Everton's academy but is reportedly open to moving to Chelsea this summer if a deal can be done. 

UPDATE (Aug 16): Just a day after news broke of the first initial bid being turned away, Graeme Bailey of 90min reports that a second bid of £45 million has also been rejected. Bailey adds that players could be involved should Chelsea come back with a third bid, hoping to keep the cost down with much already spent this window.

Date Player Publication News
Aug 22 Trevoh Chalobah Evening Standard Tottenham, Roma and Inter Milan are all circling for the defender with an exit likely should the Blues sign Wesley Fofana. 
Aug 15 Frenkie de Jong Sport Chelsea are confident they will beat Manchester United to his signing and are prepared to wait to make their move late on in the transfer window.
July 28 Jules Kounde None Chelsea were heavily involved in a transfer for
the Sevilla defender, but the move was hijacked
by Barcelona
, and the player stayed in Spain.
July 28 Presnel Kimpembe Le10Sport The PSG defender was thought to be a high
priority
for Chelsea, but he will now stay with the
Ligue 1 club for another season.
July 15 Nathan Ake The Athletic Reports linked Chelsa to the Man City defender,
but he will be staying at the Etihad.
July 14 Cristiano Ronaldo The Telegraph The Man United striker was linked with the Blues,
but the London club has now pulled out of
negotiations.
June 28 Ousmane Dembele talkSPORT The Frenchman was linked with a free transfer
to Chelsea at times during the summer, but has
returned to Barcelona by signing a new contract
June 15 Raphinha Football.London Chelsea reportedly had interest in the Leeds
United winger pre-sanctions, but he has
completed a move to Barcelona.
June 9 Denzel Dumfries Gazzetta dello Sport The Blues reportedly wanted the Dutch
full-back as part of the Lukaku deal, but this
never materialized as Lukaku moved on loan.
June 9 Christpher Nkunku Fabrizio Romano
(via CaughtOffside)
The RB Leipzig striker reportedly interested
Chelsea, but he has signed a new contract with
the Bundesliga club.
June 8 Ibrahim Sangare Sky Sports Chelsea reportedly want the PSV midfielder
who has a €35m release clause in his contract.
June 8 Richarlison The Sun The Everton forward reportedly "favored" a move
to Chelsea, but ultimately completed a switch to
London rivals Tottenham.
June 7 Gabriel Jesus AS Chelsea reportedly had interest in the Man City
forward, but he has signed for Arsenal instead.

Chelsea Transfers: Summer 2022 transfer window

Players In:

Date Player Position Age Club Transfer/Loan Fee
Sept. 1, 2022 Denis Zakaria DM 25 Juventus £2.7m (€3.1m / $3.1m)
Sept. 1, 2022 Wesley Fofana CB 21 Leicester £70m (€80.9m / $80.6m
Sept. 1, 2022 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ST 33 Barcelona £10.8m (€12.4m / $12.5m)
Jul. 13, 2022 Raheem Sterling LW/ST 27 Man City £50.8m (€58.8m / $61.8m)
Jul. 16, 2022 Kalidou Koulibaly CB 31 Napoli £34.4m (€39.7m / $41.8m)
Aug. 2, 2022 Gabriel Slonina GK 18 Chicago Fire £12.4m ($15m / €14.8m)
Aug. 4, 2022 Carney Chukwuemeka CM 18 Aston Villa £20m (€23.9m / $24.2m)
Aug. 5, 2022 Marc Cucurella LB 24 Brighton £50m (€59.3m / $61.4m)
Aug. 19, 2022 Cesare Casadei CM 19 Inter Milan £12.6m (€14.8m / $14.9m)
Aug. 31, 2022 Wesley Fofana CB 21 Leicester City £70m (€80.9m / $81m)

Players Out:

Date Player Position Age Club Transfer/Loan Fee
Sept. 2, 2022 Marcos Alonso LB 31 Free transfer  
Sept. 2, 2022 Michy Batshuayi ST 28 Fenerbahce TBC
Sept. 2, 2022 Ethan Ampadu CB 21 Spezia Loan
Jul. 1, 2022 Saul Niguez CM 27 Atletico Madrid End of Loan
Jul. 1, 2022 Danny Drinkwater CM 32 Unknown Free Transfer
Jul. 1, 2022 Romelu Lukaku CF 29 Inter Milan Loan (Fee: €8.4m)
Jul. 1, 2022 Antonio Rudiger CB 29 Real Madrid Free Transfer
Jul. 4, 2022 Andreas Christensen CB 26 Barcelona Free Transfer
Aug. 2, 2022 Gabriel Slonina GK 18 Chicago Fire Loan
Aug. 5, 2022 Levi Colwill CB 19 Brighton Loan
Aug. 9, 2022 Timo Werner CF 26 RB Leipzig €30m (£25.1m / $30.4m)
Aug. 23, 2022 Emerson Palmieri LB 28 West Ham £13m (£2m in add-ons)
Aug. 29, 2022 Ross Barkley CM 28 Unknown Free transfer
Aug. 30, 2022 Callum Hudson-Odoi RW 21 Bayer Leverkusen Loan
Aug. 31, 2022 Baba Rahman LB 28 Reading Loan

Chelsea  full 2022/23 squad & projected lineup

Below is the updated Chelsea first-team squad. New additions during the summer 2022 window are noted in bold:

Goalkeepers (3): Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli.

Defenders (8): Cesar Azpilicueta (RB), Thiago Silva (CB), Wesley Fofana (CB), Trevoh Chalobah (CB), Marcos Alonso (LB), Ben Chilwell (LB), Marc Cucurella (LB) Malang Sarr (CB), Reece James (RB), Kalidou Koulibaly (CB)Antonio Rudiger (CB), Andreas Christensen (CB), Wesley Fofana (CB).

Midfielders (8): N'Golo Kante (CM), Jorginho (CM), Denis Zakaria (CM), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM), Mateo Kovacic (CM), Carney Chukwuemeka (CM), Cesare Casadei (CM), Mason Mount (CAM), Ross Barkley (CAM), Kenedy (CAM), Saul (CM)Danny Drinkwater (CM).

Forwards (6): Christian Pulisic (LW), Hakim Ziyech (RW), Timo Werner (LW), Kai Havertz (CF), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (CF) Callum Hudson-Odoi (RW), Raheem Sterling (LW), Romelu Lukaku (CF).

CB = centre back; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = central midfielder; CAM = attacking midfielder; CF = centre forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing

The current Chelsea projected first-choice starting lineup, when completely healthy, currently looks like:

Chelsea projected starting XI (3-4-3): Mendy (GK) — Azpilicueta, Silva, Koulibaly — Alonso, Kante, Jorginho, James — Mount, Havertz, Sterling

Chelsea in Premier League 2022/23 TV channels, live streams

  UK USA Canada Australia
TV channel Sky Sports, BT Sport USA Network, Telemundo, Universo
Streaming NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime fuboTV, Peacock fuboTV Optus Sport

UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and BT Sport streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.

USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on fuboTV. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.

Canada: Every Premier League game streams live and on demand exclusively via fuboTV.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream matches live and on demand on Optus Sport

Author(s)
Author Photo
Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News.
Author Photo
Ben Miller is a content producer for The Sporting News.
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Kyle Bonn is a soccer content producer for The Sporting News.
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Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News.
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