Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Leading race for English defender, French left-back on the radar, Hunt for French winger

Chelsea have expressed the desire to add Harry Darling. The MK Dons defender is a sought-after prospect in the lower levels of English football, with the centre-back being the centre of attention for many teams across the PL. The London giants are among the teams keeping close tabs on his development.

But they are joined by Brighton while the recently relegated Norwich City are involved in the equation as well. A native of Cambridge, Harry joined MK Dons at the start of last year.

The jump from League Two to League One was not as difficult for Darling, who instantly became the lynchpin of the MK defence, racking up over 2,000 minutes of league action during the second half of the 2020/21 season. During his 18-month spell at the club so far, the 22-year-old centre-back has played 71 competitive games.

A defender by trade, the English centre-back is regarded as a modern-day defender who is adept at passing the ball out from the back and breaking the lines with his impressive range of passing. The Englishman’s skill set has not gone unnoticed, with the Blues recently expressing the desire to snap up the defender ahead of the new campaign.

With Rudiger joining Real Madrid and both Azpilicueta and Christensen being linked to a move to Barcelona, Chelsea are currently desperate for defensive reinforcements. The London giants are primarily targeting big-name footballers who can offer instant quality and stability in the defence.

Real Madrid will not put Ferland Mendy up for sale but could cash in on him if a suitor presents an attractive proposal. Los Blancos are open to offloading the 27-year-old defender for nearly €50m amid interest from Chelsea and Man United.

France international joined La Liga giants from Lyon in summer 2019 and has since endured a mixed bag of a stint with the Spanish club. While the French defender has garnered a lot of success in Real Madrid, he has also had some fitness issues, particularly in the 2021/22 campaign.

The Frenchman has turned out 105 times for Los Blancos thus far, chipping in with five goals and nine assists. But the former Lyon defender faces an uncertain future at La Liga giants ahead of the summer transfer window following Rudiger’s arrival in a Bosman move.

However, Mendy will not have a shortage of suitors if he leaves the Spanish club, with Chelsea and Man United keen on signing the defender.

The interest from the Blues stems from the uncertainties surrounding the future of Alonso. Marcos wants to return to his homeland in the summer transfer window amid links with Barcelona, with the London giants unlikely to stand in his way.

Ferland is thus a viable target for the Blues, who could have a world-class left wing-back arsenal in the Real Madrid defender and Ben Chilwell. But Chelsea will have to stave off stiff competition from Man United to secure the services of the French left-back in the summer transfer window.

Barcelona’s latest contract renewal offer was their last proposal. The Blaugrana are ready to end negotiations with Ousmane Dembele over a new contract, and he will likely move to Chelsea in a Bosman move in the summer transfer window.

France international’s stint with the London giants has left supporters divided. While Dembele has shown plenty of promise and delivered the goods in the 2021/22 campaign, his attitude problems and fitness woes have frustrated several in the Catalan giants’ fanbase.

Ousmane was top-class this past campaign, ending the season with more assists than anyone else in La Liga (13) despite playing just 21 matches. But the 25-year-old winger’s long-term future has left La Liga giants in a spot of bother for several months, especially with several European bigwigs, including the Blues, hot on his heels.

The Spanish club had announced back in winter that they would not offer the French forward a new deal after the two sides failed to reach an agreement. But negotiations resumed after the winter transfer window ended, with the Frenchman showing an inclination to remain at Barcelona.

But the Catalan giants’ hopes have been fading in the last few weeks, with recent reports touting the Blues as the favourites to add the former Borussia Dortmund winger.

The Blues will need to strengthen the front line in the summer transfer window, with Werner, Pulisic, Lukaku and Ziyech facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge. And the World Cup winner will be a solid addition to Chelsea’s squad this coming summer.