Chelsea 'interested' in latest new signing under Xabi Alonso as squad count hits 42

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing another centre-back this summer - which would take their current first-team squad count up to 43.

The Blues have done significant business during the summer transfer window under new manager Xabi Alonso.

The Spaniard has been given more control over which players come in to the club than his predecessors did, with Alonso specifically targeting experienced players in the form of Brighton's Danny Welbeck and Brentford's Jordan Henderson.

Morgan Rogers has arrived from Aston Villa for a British record fee of £117 million, while they have spent a further £43 million to bring in Atalanta wing-back Marco Palestra.

And Rayo Vallecano left-back Pep Chavarria, 28, is set to become Chelsea squad player number 42 pending a medical, with the Blues having agreed a £16.3 million fee with the Spanish club.

Now, Italian outlet Quotidiano Sportivo claim that the Blues are one of the favourites to sign Colombia centre-back Jhon Lucumi from Serie A side Bologna.

The 28-year-old has racked up over 150 appearances for Bologna since signing for them in 2022 and is a key part of their backline.

He helped them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years during the 2023/24 season, and Bologna won the Coppa Italia in 2025 by beating AC Milan in the final.

The report describes Chelsea as 'very rich and ambitious', though cautions they are 'tied by the need to sell'.

Juventus are said to be leading the race to sign Lucumi and have made contact with Bologna, while proposing some of their players as part of a swap deal.

Why Chelsea need to sell players - soon

That might be something that the Blues will have to think about as they desperately try and trim down their squad.

Premier League clubs can only register a maximum of 25 senior players, though U21 players do not count towards that total.

They currently have 26 players on their books that are either aged 21 or over, meaning they will have to first sell players before they can buy - or alternatively just freeze out the unwanted players that are currently at the club.

One of those 26, though, is Trevoh Chalobah, who is expected to join Como on a permanent deal in the coming days.

But Chelsea still have the likes of Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi on their books at centre-back, with both players seemingly surplus to requirements under Alonso.

Part of the reliance on more defenders is that Alonso is expected to play his favoured 3-4-3 formation, with wing-backs, when Chelsea begin playing competitive matches later this month.

Maxence Lacroix has signed from Crystal Palace for £52 million after being named in France's World Cup squad, while the acquisition of two wing-backs will provide competition for Malo Gusto and Reece James, as well as offset the departure of Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid.

The Blues have also signed Valentin Barco from Strasbourg, who is primarily a midfielder but can also play at left-back and left wing-back.