Chelsea endured a turbulent and ultimately disappointing 2025/26 campaign, including multiple managers and an unacceptable 10th-placed finish in the English Premier League, meaning the Blues will be without European football in 2026/27.
Following the dismissal of both Enzo Maresca and Liam Rosenior, Xabi Alonso was hired to oversee Chelsea going into next season, and the new manager will certainly be eyeing several signings to ensure the Blues can compete at the top of the table once again in 2026/27.
Chelsea have already been active in the transfer window, confirming the signing of Marco Palestra from Atalanta, but several more signings are expected in the coming weeks, and here, Bet9ja look at five players linked to Chelsea that will arrive at Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window:
Pep Chavarria (Rayo Vallecano)
Chelsea have already sold Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, and while new signing Palestra can play on either side of the defence, Sky Sports News have reported that Alonso is eager to add another specialist left-sided defender to the squad.
The Blues are looking to add more experience to the English Premier League’s youngest squad this summer, and they have set their sights on Rayo Vallecano’s 28-year-old Pep Chavarria.
The full-back made 44 appearances for a Rayo Vallecano side that finished eighth in La Liga and devastatingly lost the Conference League final to Crystal Palace last season.
Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace)
Chelsea are also interested in adding another central defender to their ranks, especially with news that the Blues are happy to allow Trevoh Chalobah – and potentially other central defenders – to leave this summer.
It has been reported by Sky Sports that Chelsea have enquired about signing the Crystal Palace defender, and this could certainly be a move that takes place during the summer transfer window, though any deal is likely to take place after the World Cup due to Lacroix’s involvement with France.
Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
Chelsea have identified Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka as a key target in the centre of the park, with Alonso keen to reunite with the experienced central midfielder following their successful time together at Bayer Leverkusen.
Sky Sports News have reported that Xhaka desires a move to Chelsea, but Sunderland have already turned down an £8m bid for the midfielder and are keen to keep their key man.
However, if Chelsea can come up with the right figure, then this could certainly materialise in the coming weeks.
Diogo Costa (Porto)
Chelsea have struggled in the goalkeeping department for a number of years, highlighted by both Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen making numerous errors throughout the 2025/26 season.
The Blues are, therefore, understood to be interested in adding a new number one to their ranks, and Porto’s Diogo Costa has reportedly been identified as their top target.
Costa has been linked with a move away from Porto to several of Europe’s elite teams in recent seasons, and with the Blues eager to significantly strengthen following the disappointment of the last campaign, this move could be on the cards.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Certainly the most ambitious target on this list, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is understood to be strongly admired by the higher-ups at Stamford Bridge.
Any move for the English midfielder is likely to depend on the future of Enzo Fernandez, who has been earning interest from Real Madrid and is supposedly keen to leave Stamford Bridge in favour of playing for Jose Mourinho’s side.
A deal for the Argentinian would likely come with a significant fee, which would allow Chelsea to afford a move for Wharton.
