Chelsea transfer round-up: Fabrizio Romano issues striker search update amid Serie A 'interest'

Chelsea may be busy in the United States, but the club’s recruitment chiefs are still hard at work on new arrivals. The Blues are expected to bring in a number of new players this summer as they look to bridge the gap between themselves and Premier League champions Liverpool.

Enzo Maresca needs another new striker, as well as a winger and a centre-back, while there are also other positions where depth is required ahead of a Champions League campaign. Here we round up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.

Pedro latest

Chelsea are still said to be interested in a move for Brighton striker Joao Pedro as they mull over striker options. The Blues are expected to sign another frontman after the £30million capture of Liam Delap during the special early transfer window.

“Let’s not forget the interest from Chelsea in Joao Pedro,” Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel. “He remains a player of interest, and they are having conversations because they like him and are following closely.” Newcastle United have also been heavily linked with a move for Pedro this summer.

Santos latest

AC Milan are said to be interested in signing Chelsea talent Andrey Santos on loan this summer. Santos has been with the Blues during their FIFA Club World Cup campaign, but whether he will be a key part of plans for the new season remains to be seen.

TeamTalk are now reporting that Santos is an option for Milan as they bid to add depth and strength to their midfield this summer. It’s reported that Chelsea are yet to make a final decision on Santos and his role going forward at this stage.

Maresca has said of the midfielder: “Andrey is working with us, he’s working well. He worked already with us last summer in the pre-season, so we know Andrey a little bit. His season has been very good, but I think you need time to adapt. The important thing is that he’s working well. And then in terms of position, I see Andrey in this moment more like Enzo [Fernández]’s position than Moisés [Caicedo] or Roméo [Lavia]’s position.

“And the reason why is because we are here in this moment for this tournament, but we also need to plan for next season, which is the Premier League. And you know that in the Premier League, first of all, you need to be physically strong, because the Premier League demands to be physically strong. So in this moment, I see Andrey as a more attacking midfielder than a defensive midfielder.”

After returning from his loan spell with Strasbourg, Santos said earlier this summer: "In principle, I'm staying at Chelsea. I want to play, I want to get minutes so I can earn my place at the World Cup. I want to establish myself at Chelsea, I want to play regularly and be an undisputed starter, and win titles in this shirt."

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