Enzo Maresca has advised Chelsea to avoid signing players merely for the sake of it but has expressed a desire to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes.
Chelsea have launched another major spending spree this summer, adding 10 new players to their squad.
They are now focused on making several sales before next Friday’s deadline.
Outcasts such as Raheem Sterling, Trevoh Chalobah, and Ben Chilwell are training separately from the first-team squad, and Maresca is eager to avoid additional selection issues.
“If we sign for the sake of signing, it’s better that we don’t sign any more because we don’t need to sign players just for the sake of it,” the Italian said in the buildup to Sunday’s trip to Wolves.
“But if we are going to sign players because they are going to help us improve, sure we will sign players – otherwise we are happy with the way we are.”
Chelsea are seeking a striker to provide competition for Nicolas Jackson and are currently monitoring Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
The club is interested in signing Osimhen on loan, but this option does not appeal to either Napoli or the Nigerian forward.
Chelsea have also considered Jhon Durán from Aston Villa, who have been offered the opportunity to sign Raheem Sterling.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Marc Guiu, who was recently signed from Barcelona, is currently serving as Jackson’s backup but may be loaned out.
“I love Marc,” Maresca said. “But if we have a chance to bring in a No 9 who can help us we are going to try – otherwise we are OK.”
Maresca is also aiming to sign a new centre-back, as Trevoh Chalobah is available for transfer and both Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile could be sold.
João Félix might feature in the match against Wolves, but Maresca has cautioned that the Portugal forward will require time to adjust to his tactics after his move from Atlético Madrid.
“If he is available, for sure he has a chance of playing,” he said.
“In terms of knowing the way we want to play, not yet, but physically I think he is ready.
“He needs more time to understand how we want to play.
“He is mature enough to understand what he has to do and learn from his mistakes in the past.
“Overall he is a player who is going to help us.
“Potentially he is a top player – I have known about João for many years, and now I am working with him day by day I will know him even better.
“We are going to try to help him to improve.
“I knew about him when he was at Benfica, where he was already scoring many goals and everyone was suspecting he would be a top, top, top player.
“He has played with Benfica, Atlético, Chelsea and Barcelona – big, big teams – and we are happy to have him here.”
Chelsea are monitoring Jadon Sancho’s situation at Manchester United.
While no advanced negotiations are in place, the club has not dismissed the possibility of making a move for the winger, whose future at United remains uncertain.
Additionally, Chelsea are optimistic about finalizing the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Napoli soon, which could aid their efforts to bring Victor Osimhen to Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth are in the process of negotiating a deal to sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, according to The Athletic.
Arrizabalaga has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, and Bournemouth are looking to secure him on loan for the 2024-25 season.
The south coast club is in discussions with Premier League counterparts Chelsea, with the 29-year-old Spanish goalkeeper identified as their top target.
Other teams are also considering Arrizabalaga, but Bournemouth have alternative options, including Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal.
Given that Arrizabalaga’s contract with Chelsea is set to expire in 2025, he would need to agree to an extension before a temporary transfer could be finalized.
Arrizabalaga spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, making 20 appearances.
He was a regular in the first half of the season but was replaced by Andriy Lunin in the latter part of the campaign by head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in the summer of 2018 and has since made 163 first-team appearances for the London club.
During his time at Chelsea, he has won four trophies, including the 2021 Champions League title.
Bournemouth drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on the opening weekend of the Premier League and will next face Newcastle United on Sunday.
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