'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea are back this weekend after a hiatus of almost 2 weeks, and fans will be raring to see their favorite club in action once again. However, a keen interest would also lie in their club's activities off-the-pitch, with the summer transfer window set to kick off around the end of the 2020/21 PL season.
Although a date is yet to be confirmed by the FA, FIFA's Transfer Matching System website lists the date for transfers in England and Scotland between June 3rd to August 31st.
With rumors and speculation aplenty surrounding every Premier League club, our focus today will be on the blue side of London - Chelsea.
Following a ban by FIFA for two consecutive transfer windows (which later got reduced to one), Chelsea went on a buying spree in last season's summer transfer window. Splurging more than £200million on the likes of Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Timo Werner, among others, Chelsea look set to see a repeat of another big-spending transfer window.
Some of the biggest talents in world football are speculated to be in talks with Chelsea, and with that in mind, let's take a look at:
5 players who could move base to Chelsea at the end of this season
#5 Gianluigi Donnarumma - AC Milan
A big surprise in this summer's transfer window could be the availability of AC Mila'sn goalkeeping sensation Gianluigi Donnarumma. Should the former Italian champions fail to renew his contract, the 22-year old will be out of contract at the end of the season. Even though AC Milan have insisted that the contract will be renewed, it is yet to be finalized.
The 2020/21 season has reached its final stages, and AC Milan are up against the clock to get the signature of their coveted asset.
If AC Milan fail to agree terms with Donnarumma, Chelsea will be one of the favorites to snap up the Italian goalkeeper. Even though Mendy has done a brilliant job since his debut this season, Donnarumma is one of the best in world football at his position.
He was the second-youngest player to make his debut in Serie A when he donned the gloves for AC Milan at the age of 16 years and 242 days. Thomas Tuchel will undoubtedly be monitoring the contractual situation of the 22-year old.
#4 Romelu Lukaku - Inter Milan
Lukaku has enjoyed a great season at Inter Milan, guiding them to the pinnacle of Serie A once again, where they stand 8 points clear at the top, with 11 games remaining. Since his departure from Manchester United, the Belgian has been in red hot form and has seen somewhat of a redemption. The big center forward has an intimidating presence in front of goal and has notched up 25 goals and 7 assists across 34 matches in all competitions.
Recent reports have suggested that the 27-year old could be on his way back to a surprise reunion with his former Chelsea team-mates, with Inter Milan reportedly open to receiving offers for their star striker. Chelsea are reportedly looking at Romelu Lukaku as an alternative to Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland.
Chelsea were interested in signing Lukaku during Conte's tenure at the club and the Blues might look to rekindle interest in the upcoming transfer window.
#3 Niklas Süle - Bayern Munich
The Bayern Munich defender has been repeatedly linked to Chelsea over the last few years, but it might just come to fruition in the upcoming transfer window. The Bundesliga champions recently completed the signing of RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano, along with Reading's Omar Richards.
In addition to this, Süle's contract is set to run out in 2022, and this might force both the club and the player to make a decision on the 25-year old's future at Munich. Although Thiago Silva is having a good season at the heart of Chelsea's defense, Süle will be viewed as a long-term replacement for the 36-year old.
The German will bring loads of experience and quality to Stamford Bridge and will certainly bolster Chelsea's defense. Süle has three Bundesliga titles to show for his time at Bayern Munich, along with a Confederations Cup for national side, Germany, in 2017.
Along with his significant presence in defense, Süle is one of the fastest players at Bayern Munich, with a top speed of 34.8 km/h.
#2 David Alaba - Bayern Munich
Another Bayern Munich defender, David Alaba, who is on his way out after spending 13 years at the club, could find himself at Stamford Bridge next season. The 28-year old full-back has won a whopping nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League medals in his illustrious career at Bayern Munich.
However, Alaba's contract is set to run out at the end of this season, and the Austrian has decided to explore a new club after reaching the pinnacle of German football. One of the best left-backs/center-backs in world football today, Alaba has the option to join forces with the biggest clubs in world football, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea interested in signing the Austrian.
The 28-year old will be a free agent at the end of the 2020/21 season, which means there will be no transfer fees involved, and potential suitors will have to hash out contract agreements only between the player and his agent.
Effectively free of cost, Alaba can choose to ply his trade for whichever club he sees fit and it will be interesting to see how this transfer saga pans out.
However, recent reports coming out of Germany won't please many Chelsea fans. Sky in Germany have reported that Alaba wants to move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona, but in the crazy world of player transfers, anything is possible.
#1 Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund
Let's address the elephant in the room, shall we? Erling Haaland has been in scorching hot form, especially in European football, single-handedly guiding Borussia Dortmund to the quarters of the Champions League. In Dortmund's Round of 16 tie against Sevilla, Haaland found the net on four occasions over two legs. The class and immense potential of the 20-year old has caught the eye of the biggest clubs in world football, with the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea all vying to see Haaland in their club colors.
However, Chelsea remain one of the favorites to sign the Norwegian, with reports stating that Chelsea are willing to shell out more than £100million for the Borussia Dortmund sensation. Adding to this, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is one of the few owners in world football to not be heavily impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a personal wealth of well over £14 billion.
Nicknamed "The Terminator" by his teammates, Haaland has lived up to the name, decimating opposition defenses with 33 goals and 8 assists from just 31 matches this season.
With Timo Werner having a horrid time in front of goal, Haaland would fit right into the Chelsea XI and make Chelsea a serious title-contender going into next season.
