Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea transfer is on hold as Jorrel Hato deal nears

Chelsea’s next attacking signing is on hold as the Blues look to tick off some items of business before sealing a deal. Enzo Maresca’s men are due back in pre-season next week, with Monday signalling a return from summer holidays for the Chelsea players.

It has been a strange pre-season for the Blues, with the FIFA Club World Cup limiting the number of friendlies the club could squeeze in. But Chelsea are still bidding to be as ready as they can be for the new season, and part of that is new signings.

Ajax defender Jorrel Hato looks to be the next in at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have also been working on a new attacking signing in RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons. The Blues have held positive talks, even entering into advanced discussions, but the deal is currently on pause due to the need for the West London club to offload some of their current players.

Chelsea were recently fined just over £27million by UEFA for their overspending, and they have been threatened with a further fine of £52million if they don’t get their books in check.

The Blues have done a good job of that so far this season, balancing significant spending with the sales of Noni Madueke and Joao Pedro, who brought in around £90milion combined.

But with Hato set to cost around £34million, Chelsea need to do more work in the exits department before they can sanction a deal worth around £60million for Simons. Fabrizio Romano has explained on his YouTube channel: “First step for Chelsea, really important to sell and offload some players. Guiu has gone on loan, Broja will go, more players like Sterling, Felix has left. Jackson is one to watch. Nkunku is going to go. Several situations to clarify!

“They have many players upfront, they want Xavi Simons, advance talks. Before closing the deal they want to make sure they complete some outgoings but its not something in real danger at this point.”

Chelsea are said to have seven players up for sale as things stand as they look to trim their squad and make space, both physically and financially, for more new signings this summer. On top of Simons, Chelsea may well feel they need another out-and-out winger to replace Madueke, who left for Arsenal. Simons can play there, but he has typically done his best work in the number 10 role, which means he will either be a Cole Palmer back-up or play a single pivot.

Though, the issue with the single pivot is how to fit in both Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez into the midfield, and it would be difficult to make the argument that a midfield of Caicedo, Palmer and Simons is a better and more resolute midfield than Caicedo, Fernandez and Palmer. Either way, should Chelsea get their hands on Simons, Maresca will have a diverse and ultra-talented midfield group to pick from, with other player also available in the middle of the park.

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