CHELSEA are pushing to sign Rafael Leao and Arsen Zakharyan before tomorrow’s transfer deadline, according to reports.
The Blues have already introduced a number of new additions this summer including Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and most recently Wesley Fofana, who joined in a £70million move earlier today.
However, following the club’s 2-1 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday Thomas Tuchel is eager to recruit some new faces before the 11pm transfer curfew.
According to The Times, Chelsea are in talks to sign AC Milan winger Leao AND Dinamo Moscow midfielder Zakharyan.
Tuchel wants to add a forward and a midfielder to his ranks within the next 24 hours.
Zakharyan, 19, is available for just £12.6m so Blues chief Todd Boehly should have no problem with splashing the cash to trigger his release clause.
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However, Leao, 23, is currently valued at £126m which puts Chelsea in a difficult position in terms of negotiations with other deals still in the pipeline.
The Blues are also in talks with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig over the potential transfer of Josko Gvardiol.
The centre-back could set Chelsea back £77m if a deal were to be completed.
Tuchel is eager to strengthen his defensive set-up after the lacklustre display against Southampton.
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If Chelsea can secure deals for Leao, Zakharyan and Gvardiol it will take the club’s total summer spend up to an eyewatering £480m, smashing the record of the highest amount spent by any club in a single transfer window.
Real Madrid are the current record holders having spent £272m on signing Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, Luka Jovic, Eder Militao and Rodrygo in 2019.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
