Chelsea 'Keen' For Early Statement Signing Under Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital Ownership

Chelsea’s new ownership are keen to make an ‘early statement signing’ this summer, according to reports.

The Blues look set to focus on incomings once Romelu Lukaku’s loan move to Inter Milan is finalised. 

A complete agreement has been reached, after an initial €5 million loan fee for the club-record signing had been rejected earlier this month. 

Now, a  €7 million loan fee with further add-ons has been agreed.

Therefore, Lukaku is set to return to the San Siro less than a year since his £97.5 million move to Chelsea.

Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner could also join him in leaving the club, with AC Milan and Juventus interested in the pair.

Chelsea have been linked with several incomings already, mainly in defence as the Blues look to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Rudiger was named as a Real Madrid player this summer while Christensen was named on Chelsea’s released list ahead of a potential move to Barcelona. 

Matthijs de Ligt has been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge as Thomas Tuchel has given the green light to pursue a transfer.

Further upfield, Chelsea have been linked with several attackers to replace the outgoing Lukaku.

Tuchel’s side are said to be ‘pressing’ for Ousmane Dembele, willing to offer him a contract when his deal at Barcelona expires at the end of the month.

The head coach has also held positive talks with Manchester City star Raheem Sterling ahead of a potential move.

Thomas Tuchel delivers instructions as Raheem Sterling looks on. (Alamy)

According to Mike Keegan of the Daily Mail, Chelsea’s new owners, the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium, are keen to make an early statement signing.

The journalist continues to state that Tuchel is ‘very keen’ on signing Sterling this summer and that a deal could be done.

Man City are demanding £55 million for the winger, who has one-year left on his current deal.

However, Chelsea are likely to offer short of this to begin negotiations.

Sterling is seen as a statement by the new board, who are keen to splash the cash to rebuild Tuchel’s squad this summer.

The Blues have also been surprisingly linked with Cristiano Ronaldo after Boehly met with his agent Jorge Mendes in Portugal.

While Ronaldo would be a true statement signing this summer, it is unlikely that Chelsea will pursue a deal as Boehly attended the meeting out of courtesy.

It is unclear as to who the new owners will target as their marquee summer signing, with Tuchel having the final say on any incomings this transfer window.