Xabi Alonso will begin work as Chelsea manager on July 1, and early transfer links point to Brentford forward Igor Thiago and Aston Villa winger Morgan Rogers, according to recent reports.
Per TEAMtalk, Thiago remains a leading target for Chelsea after Alonso’s appointment. The report says the 24-year-old has been nominated for the Premier League Player of the Season award following a 22-goal haul to date, and that Alonso will likely have some sway over future transfer moves.
TalkSPORT reports Chelsea face competition for Rogers from Arsenal, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. The outlet says a fee of around £80 million could be enough to convince Villa to sell, and notes Rogers still has five years remaining on his contract.
The Daily Mail says Brentford have shown interest in Cologne winger Said El Mala. The 19-year-old has been on the radar of both Chelsea and Brighton, the report adds, and Cologne are refusing to lower a £43.6 million valuation after talks with Brighton failed to produce an agreement.
Other reported targets and moves include Newcastle United tracking AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, per transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, and Bayern Munich being willing to let goalkeeper Alexander Nübel leave after his Stuttgart loan, Sky Germany reports. Sky Germany adds Bayern are considering another loan or a permanent transfer for Nübel with Manuel Neuer staying at the club until 2027.
The report says Alonso’s impending start comes as Chelsea prepare for the upcoming transfer window, with the club and rival teams linked to a number of high-profile targets in the weeks ahead.
