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Chelsea have rushed their off-season activity in the 48 hours as major decisions are beginning to be implemented as the club seems to be swaying into some sort of direction following a disastrous initial two months.
These changes should conceivably be followed up by new signings in the transfer market and squad reinforcements as pre-season friendlies approach.
Pressure demands the Blues to speed up their business in the limited time available as the transfer window will be shut prior to the commencement of the Premier League campaign in August.
On that note, here are the top transfer stories of the day pertaining to Chelsea:
#1 Antonio Conte shown the exit door
The much awaited day has finally arrived as Antonio Conte has been fired by Chelsea earlier today afternoon, sources of The Guardian understand. Many websites and media outlets have followed up the story but an official announcement is yet to be made by the club.
Conte has been discharged of his duties with 12 months still remaining on his contract and the Blues are expected to pay him a hefty compensation fee of at least £9 million with the new manager already lined up and expected to take reins of the club imminently.
The sacking of the Italian has been suspected ever since the last season due to a fallout with the Board over the lack of signings during his second year and moreover, Conte was denied the opportunity to bring in any of his shortlisted players.
Despite winning the FA Cup, the 2017/18 campaign was calamitous for Chelsea as they finished fifth and missed out on Champions League football. Previously, the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian have threatened to leave the club if the 48-year-old was to remain in charge next season.
However, Antonio Conte's sacking has come at a very strange period as he had returned for training earlier in the week to begin preparations and was instantly unhappy with Chelsea's plans for the upcoming season.
The former Juventus manager leaves Chelsea after just two years where he achieved two trophies and won the Premier League title in his very first year.
#2 Chelsea reach agreement for Jorginho and Maurizio Sarri
Chelsea are on the verge of wrapping up a £57 million deal for Napoli duo Jorginho and Maurizio Sarri, the Evening Standard reports.
The Blues finally settled on the compensation for their next manager after months of disagreements with the Italian club as Sarri's contract in Naples ran until 2020. It is a double delight for Chelsea as the 59-year-old's appointment is set to be followed up with the announcement of Jorginho's arrival.
Manchester City had been favourites to land the midfielder all summer long but was unable to match Napoli's demands of £50 million and it enabled Chelsea to overtake them in the race and instantly met his asking price that also brought Sarri in the deal.
Jorginho is regarded as one of the best midfielders in Europe and is a very proficient penalty taker.
He chipped in with three goals and four assists in all competitions last season with an average of two tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game.
Meanwhile, Sarri has been the favourite to land the job at Stamford Bridge all summer but due to internal problems between both the clubs, his appointment has kept getting delayed.
The Italian is a very tactical manager and the term Sarri-ball has been distinctively and widely used to describe his implemented methods and has delivered Napoli a considerable amount of success in the past.
#3 Blues keen on Filip Benkovic
The Daily Star claims that Chelsea are ready to offer £25 million for Dinamo Zagreb defender Filip Benkovic and could face competition for the 20-year-old amid interest from Serie A giants AC Milan.
The Blues are yet to make any new additions to their squad this transfer window and the defence needs more firepower. Benkovic started out his career with boyhood club Dinamo Zagreb and since his promotion to the first team in 2015, the Croatian has starred in 76 games.
The towering centre-back scored four goals in 27 appearances last campaign and was an indispensable member of the squad as Dinamo lifted the league title at the end of the season.
A clear out has been suspected at Chelsea after the arrival of their new manager and Benkovic could be one of many signings that could see the likes of David Luiz, Danny Drinkwater and others being sold.
#4 Kenedy signs for Newcastle United
Chelsea winger Kenedy has joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan deal for the 2018/19, according to BBC Sport. The 22-year-old has returned to Tyneside following an impressive temporary spell in the second half of last season for Rafa Benitez's side.
During his four months stay in Newcastle, Kenedy started 13 games and racked up two goals and two assists respectively as The Magpies finished 10th in the Premier League.
The Brazilian attracted the interest of foreign suitors this transfer window but the Blues have decided to hang on to him and send him back North.
Kenedy has featured in just 27 games for the Blues in his three-year stint and has failed to keep hold of his place in the first team.
He had been utilized in a left wing-back role by former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte in cup competitions previously and was loaned out to Watford two season ago but his loan spell was cut short due to a nasty injury and was forced to return to West London immediately to work on his rehabilitation.
