Chelsea enter 'talks' over £52m star as Fabrizio Romano issues Nicolas Jackson update

Chelsea are now on a break from football after a busy summer that saw them win the FIFA Club World Cup. The Blues will have their usual pre-season fixtures later on in the summer as a result, with their first friendly coming on August 8 and the second and last taking place two days later.

In the meantime, work continues in a bid to construct a Premier League-winning squad, or at least one that can compete for that kind of honour. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.

Simons ‘talks’

Chelsea have begun talks over a possible deal for RB Leipzig attacking midfielder Xavi Simons, according to CaughtOffside. The report claims Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal are all interested in a deal this summer.

Reports elsewhere have suggested Simons would cost around £52million, and Chelsea would essentially be adding very expensive competition for Cole Palmer, though Simons can play wide as well.

Jackson ‘latest’

Fabrizio Romano has issued an update on Chelsea’s stance over selling Nicolas Jackson amid talk Manchester United will move to snap him up this summer. “Chelsea have informed Manchester United on conditions of deal for Nicolas Jackson,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.

“Manchester United still discussing their striker target internally and sales will be important. Chelsea are not desperate to sell the striker.” Chelsea currently have three main strikers if Christopher Nkunku is on his way out, and selling Jackson would likely mean the are forced back into the market to find a replacement.

Madueke deal favours Chelsea

Paul Merson believes Chelsea will be delighted with the £52million deal that saw Noni Madueke join Arsenal. “I am flabbergasted by Arsenal signing Noni Madueke,” Merson wrote in his Sky Sports column. “Chelsea just won't believe that this deal has come to them. They won't believe their luck.

“I'm shocked. If Arsenal went and bought any player from Chelsea, he'd have been the last one I thought they'd sign. Are they getting this deal done and then all of a sudden it allows a potential sale of Saka or someone else. If fit, he plays. So why do you spend £52m on a backup for him?”

Madueke completed his Arsenal move on Friday, and in an open letter to Chelsea, he wrote: “Dear Chelsea Football Club, I want to thank you for the last 3 or so years. To every staff member that helped me along this journey, thank you. To my team-mates thank you for everything, I leave with only love and admiration for you guys. We achieved so much this season and I honestly wish you guys nothing but the best.

“To Enzo Maresca, it was a privilege to play under you, thank you for trying to better me as a player and as a person. Lastly, thank you to every single Chelsea fan. Thank you for the love, the praise and also the criticism, I appreciate it all. I leave here with nothing but fond memories. Love NM11.”

Your next Chelsea read, Supercomputer predicts Premier League table for London clubs