Chelsea agree deal for English talent but nine players could leave in mass transfer exodus

Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund to sign Jamie Gittens, talkSPORT understands.

Gittens has been the Blues’ top left-wing target this summer after scoring 12 goals and assisting five others this season.

Chelsea are set to go again for Gittens, but they’re happy to wait until after the Club World CupCredit: GettyChelsea haven’t rushed to complete a deal as they can’t register the Englishman for the Club World Cup, because he’s already featured for Dortmund in the tournament.

But now Enzo Maresca’s side have been able to reach an agreement.

Chelsea’s last bid was £42million and the Blues became ready to break the £45m barrier in a bid to secure the 20-year-old, who has already agreed a seven-year contract.

They are also exploring other forwards with a view to replacing Christopher Nkunku, despite Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian arriving from Palmeiras this summer.

read more chelsea newsThe 18-year-old wants to play as a number ten and is expected to be part of the first-team squad.

Chelsea are considering Brighton’s Joao Pedro and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, although they have no plans to pay his €100m [£85m] asking price.

However, Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani and Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic are not options, and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko has been ruled out as he is seen as too similar a profile to Liam Delap.

Chelsea are also focused on outgoings as talkSPORT understands Joao Felix is drawing interest from NEOM FC and could be an option for fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr if they fail to land top target Luis Diaz.

Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Lesley Ugochukwu, Armando Broja and Alfie Gilchrist are other players expected to depart.

Renato Veiga could also be sold as Chelsea can’t guarantee him minutes in his preferred centre-back position.

Saudi could present Chelsea with a route out of their disastrous Felix transferCredit: Getty

Numerous players could leave this windowCredit: GettyChelsea are not looking to force out Nicolas Jackson or Noni Madueke but there is an acceptance each could be sold at the right price.

Andrey Santos, who scored ten Ligue 1 goals last season for Strasbourg, is not a player Chelsea wish to sell but is drawing interest from several European clubs, including Bayern Munich.

The 21-year-old would likely have to agitate for a move for the situation to change, and is expected to get more opportunities after the Club World Cup once he’s had time to acclimatise.

Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic was at Strasbourg with Santos and named their Player of the Season last campaign, but the 25-year-old is not with Chelsea at the Club World Cup and currently exploring his options.

There is a pact in place allowing Petrovic to depart for €30m [£25m] this summer and Strasbourg are keen to sign the Serbian permanently, although he is assessing all options.

Chelsea are content with Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and the highly-rated Mike Penders, and a new number one will only arrive if a market opportunity presents itself.

These are just some of the players who could be heading out the Stamford Bridge exit door this summerCredit: Valuations via TransfermarktThat was the case with Mike Maignan, but in the end Chelsea decided against paying his £25m asking price given the Milan keeper only had 12 months left on his contract.

The Blues also respect Emi Martinez, but have no plans to bid for the Aston Villa keeper.

Chelsea will also send out several players on loan and Penders could be an option for Strasbourg, especially if they fail to land Petrovic.

Kendry Paez and Mathis Amougou are also being earmarked for Chelsea’s sister club.

Finally, Omari Kellyman is likely to be loaned to a Championship side, although the priority for now is to get the 19-year-old fit, having suffered an injury-hit year since joining from Aston Villa which is why he didn’t travel to America with the first-team squad.

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