Chelsea have now reached a verbal agreement for one of their next potential signings of the window, but must wait for Christopher Nkunku to leave before finalising the deal.
The west Londoners are not exactly strapped for cash, and estimate that Chelsea are currently enjoying a profit margin of around £108 million when it comes to their balance sheet.
Enzo Maresca’s side have brought in around £388 million through player sales (£220m), Club World Cup prize money (£87.5m) and qualifying for the Champions League combined (£80m), with around £280 million spent on summer transfers.
This puts them in superb stead when it comes to the Premier League’s PSR laws, but they remain forced to sell players due to their pact with UEFA.
Chelsea reached an agreement with UEFA last month after breaking their separate FFP rules, and, as part of their settlement, it was agreed that BlueCo must produce a positive transfer balance by September – or risk not being able to register new players for their European A-list squad.
Essentially, Maresca’s squad must be balanced out financially with outgoings to make up for their plethora of incomings.
Chelsea are currently in talks to sign Alejandro Garnacho and Xavi Simons, according to widespread reports, so they must make headway when it comes to selling more undesired players pretty soon.
Chelsea completed exit deals for Kepa Arrizabalaga, Basir Humphreys, Noni Madueke, Marcus Bettinelli, Mathis Amougou, Djordje Petrovic, João Félix, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Armando Broja and Lesley Ugochukwu earlier in the window, but more are certain to follow.
Maresca confirmed that Nicolas Jackson isn’t part of the squad for their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace, stating the Senegalese will be allowed to leave Cobham, while Bayern Munich are currently in talks to sign Nkunku, who’s keen to join them.
The Frenchman bagged 15 goals in all competitions last season, finishing 2024/2025 as one of their top scorers, but he struggled to earn a consistent starting place under Maresca despite some impressive showings.
Nkunku displayed flashes of his quality at the CWC too, though his future appears far away from west London, especially since his exit could “unlock” a long-awaited deal for Simons.
Chelsea reach verbal agreement to sign RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons
That is according to journalist Rudy Galetti, who wrote on X this week that Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign the Dutchman.
However, they’re currently waiting for Nkunku to leave before formalising the deal – making his exit imperative.
The 22-year-old playmaker bagged 11 goals and eight assists in all competitions across 24/25, prompting Leipzig to reward Simons with a £192,000-per-week contract – making him the highest-paid player in their history.
The former PSG ace only made his move there a permanent one in January, but if he has his way, Simons could soon become one of the Premier League’s newest stars.