Everton are in talks with Chelsea over a double swoop for Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi, according to reports.
The pair have been left out of Chelsea’s squad to face Udinese on Friday evening as the Blues prepare for their first match of the season.
Thomas Tuchel is looking to add at least four players to his already bloated Chelsea squad before the end of the transfer window.
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Therefore, several outgoings will have to be sanctioned before adding to his squad.
Chelsea’s club-record signing Romelu Lukaku has already been granted a departure, having moved on loan to Inter Milan earlier in the summer after an unsuccessful season at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are looking ahead to the new season, having already added Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly to their squad, with outgoings the next on the list of priorities.
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The likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner’s futures remain uncertain.
Azpilicueta is attracting heavy interest from Barcelona this summer, while Ziyech is said to be in talks with AC Milan.
Werner could be set for a loan departure with interest from Juventus, RB Leipzig and Newcastle United.
Chelsea will be hoping to have these futures sorted sooner rather than later, alongside the futures of the likes of Barkley and Batshuayi.
Tuchel’s side face Frank Lampard’s Everton in the first match of the Premier League, and could be facing up against Barkley and Batshuayi if the latest reports are to be believed.
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As reported by 90min, Everton are in talks to sign Barkley and Batshuayi from Chelsea this summer.
Barkley is said to be keen to return to his boyhood club, who Chelsea signed him from for £15 million previously.
There are ‘small details’ which Chelsea must agree to before the transfer for Barkley can be completed this summer.
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Chelsea are said to be keen to reduce their wage bill with the deals for both Barkley and Batshuayi permanent transfers.
The Toffees are in talks over a move for the Belgian striker but also remain interested in a potential third and fourth signing from Chelsea.
Billy Gilmour is admired by Lampard, who coached him during his time at Chelsea while Armando Broja is also liked by the Englishman.
It remains to be seen as to whether the Blues would let two of their young stars leave, with a loan deal perhaps more likely if either were to depart.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Everton, Michy Batshuayi, Ross Barkley, Football, Transfers
Nick Emms