Strike

The Worst case scenario right here. Kounde goes to Barca. Alonso, Azpi stay here.

Not really. The fee drops to 43m next summer due to the release clause kicking in. So any bid over that will at least be considered by Leipzig

the days of quietly working on deals behind the scenes maybe over. Interest in a player is clear weeks before a bid

Contract till 2026. Why are West Ham dictating terms exactly? I hope Boehly and co. can be stone cold about this and only sell with a buy-back or loan. Screw Broja's feelings if he is unsettled and wants to leave when he has the biggest chance for a crack at a Chelsea role.

Only way this makes sense is that there is a decent buy-back clause inserted in the deal that the journos reporting haven't confirmed yet

Yeah, it is the club's fault that they cannot convince a 2nd choice striker with a 5 year deal of game time. Then who is it that the club can convince to stay these days? I can't believe Broja move is progressing without a replacement in sight.

Broja pushing for the move suggests a failure on our part in convincing he has a significant role this year - which was not really difficult when he is the only natural striker we have.

Reece was 19 and Mase was 20 in 2019 when they became regulars. Different circumstances but we need to take calculated gambles with some youngsters who are that good and integrate them

Yup. I'm hoping it is a tactic targeting several deals and eventually choosing to bring in one more defender

Tuchel himself has said ideally two more. Even Romano, Law saying the same.

Fabrizio saying Colwill considering leaving in case two more CBs join after Koulibaly

Reading this article, it seems Colwill is counting Emerson, Ampadu, Sarr, Azpilicueta among his competition. Tuchel needs to convince him that the minutes are there even with one more signing (Kimpembe) and that he's ahead of the likes of Sarr, Ampadu.

Barkley and Sarr seemed like low-risk signings when they came in for cheap but just shows how difficult it is to shift bodies if they are on fairly high wages and are rubbish at this level. Hope this is the last of the depth signings for the sake of it.

James. Neat finish

What is the point of Barkley? Give the minutes to Billy G

Asian fans can relate

Still do - I'd say Pulisic (age 20), Havertz (age 21) in recent years were similar signings. I like the no-nonsense approach this summer. Get in Koulibaly, Sterling and use the academy boys for depth instead of signing more youngsters.

Do people forget Callum is only 21