Chelsea lining up 'smart' transfer business including Manchester United and Arsenal target to bolster Enzo Maresca hopes: report

By
published

Chelsea may have to fend off interest from rival Premier League clubs to get RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, as well as recruiting for other key positions

Incoming Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City at the National Stadium on July 30, 2023 in Singapore. (Photo by Lampson Yip - Clicks Images/Getty Images)

Leicester City are flying under Maresca

 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano has outlined incoming Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca’s potential shopping list once he completes his expected move from Leicester City, including constant Premier League transfer target Benjamin Sesko.

Chelsea are in talks with Maresca and his current club about taking him to Stamford Bridge as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement but it is anticipated that he will be installed in the dugout sooner rather than later.

Romano wrote in his Daily Briefing that the only current issues to resolve are the length of Maresca’s contract – he is said to want a five-year deal, longer than Chelsea had initially offered – and the compensation that will be paid to Leicester for his services.

Chelsea lining up bid for in-demand striker Benjamin Sesko

Benjamin Sesko of FC Salzburg challenged by Lucas Ocampos of Sevilla FC during the UEFA Champions League group G match between FC Salzburg and Sevilla FC at Red Bull Arena on December 08, 2021 in Salzburg, Austria.

Benjamin Sesko is wanted by plenty this summer (Image credit: Jasmin Walter - FC Red Bull Salzburg/FC Red Bull Salzburg via Getty Images)

Once that deal is done, Chelsea can shift their focus to the summer transfer market – and they are expected to be busy both when it comes to new arrivals and departures of current players.

Chelsea have spent heavily over the past few years but their struggles in the Premier League for much of the past couple of years demonstrate that there is still work to do in certain areas.

Romano explained: “[Maresca] will be ‘here we go’ soon and then it will continue to be a busy summer at Chelsea.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly after a game against Newcastle in March 2024.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will oversee big changes this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

“It won’t be completely crazy but they will try to make smart things happen, including a new goalkeeper and I expect them to try for at least one new centre-back, but it could be two.

“I also expect Chelsea to be busy with the striker position, and I mentioned many times Benjamin Sesko, who is highly rated at Chelsea but also by others like Arsenal and Manchester United.”

The 20-year-old former Deep Space Nine captain is regarded as one of the most promising centre-forwards in Europe, netting 14 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances for RB Leipzig last season – including finishing the domestic campaign by scoring in seven straight games.

More Chelsea stories

Mauricio Pochettino to manage one more game at Stamford Bridge, despite leaving Chelsea

Tottenham lead race to sign former Chelsea attacker and club need to sell: report

Chelsea star pinpoints exact moment when things clicked under Mauricio Pochettino, helping to revive their season

Steven Chicken
Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.