With the majority of world football current being postponed, the attention for many clubs has turned to the summer transfer window. According to reports, Chelsea are likely to miss out on their big signing, as Jadon Sancho prefers a move to Manchester United, but that hasn’t stopped Frank Lampard for looking into other potential signings.
Lampard will be hopeful of achieving a top-four finish in the Premier League when the competition finally resumes, and that could be a decisive factor in attracting some of the names that he wants to bring to Stamford Bridge next season. It has been a decent first year in charge for Lampard. But his job security for the next 12 months will likely hinge on whether he can achieve a European finish, and Chelsea still have a fight on their hands to achieve that. But, who could be heading to Stamford Bridge over the summer?
Barcelona Offer Philippe Coutinho To Chelsea
Chelsea’s bigger summer target will be Philippe Coutinho, and it would appear that the Blues are now the favourites to sign the attacking midfielder. The Brazilian has spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich. But the German side have no intention of making the deal a permanent one. That will leave the door open for a number of clubs to make their move, as it would appear that Coutinho doesn’t have a long-term future at Barcelona.
The Brazilian would seamlessly fit into the Chelsea team, as they are crying out for an attacking midfielder that is able to make the killer passes. Coutinho could be deployed as the number ten in the 4-2-3-1 formation. Meanwhile, he could play on the left, which will allow Mason Mount to maintain his place in the starting eleven. There could yet be one stumbling block for Chelsea, as Inter Milan may demand the Brazilian to be included in the deal to take Lautaro Martinez to the Camp Nou.
Blues Eyeing Two French Stars
Chelsea are also expected to raid Lille over the summer months, and according to the reports in France, the Blues have already made their move. Lampard is hopeful of adding Gabriel Magalhaes and Victor Osimehen to his squad.
The Blues will be short on attacking options as Oliver Giroud is unlikely to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge, which means Osimhen will be brought in to replace him. Tammy Abraham is still likely to be the number one striker. That means the incoming Lille man would be just used as a back-up. However, 18 goals this season would prove that he is a talented striker and he won’t be just making up the numbers.
Meanwhile, Magalhaes will be brought in to increase the defensive options that Lampard has, with doubts surrounding the future of Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma. Furthermore, Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori appear to be Lampard’s first-choice pairing, but Magalhaes would certainly offer something different. The combined deal could cost the Blues in the region of £100 million.
