Chelsea make approach for Schjelderup and turn down £22m Chalobah bid
The Blues are busy in the transfer market as they prepare for the arrival of Xabi Alonso, with a bid rejected for Trevoh Chalobah and an approach made for Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup.
Chelsea have made an approach to sign Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup and rejected a £22m offer for Trevoh Chalobah as the club works on multiple summer deals ahead of Xabi Alonso's arrival at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are ready to make Marco Palestra their first signing after agreeing a £51m deal with Atalanta for the Italy full-back. Inter Milan had been leading the chase for the 21-year-old, but incoming manager Alonso helped persuade him to choose west London over the San Siro. Chelsea's pursuit of Palestra has fuelled speculation that current right-back Malo Gusto could depart, with new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca reported to be interested.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella has completed a £52m switch to Real Madrid, freeing up space in the squad. In central defence, Chelsea have shown interest in Crystal Palace's Maxence Lacroix and Como's Jacobo Ramon, partly because they are willing to part with academy graduate Chalobah this summer.
Chalobah, 26, has made 151 appearances for his boyhood club since his debut in 2018 and played 47 games across all competitions last season. However, he has spent long spells on the fringes previously, with loan spells at Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and Lorient. Chelsea have rejected a second offer from Como, managed by former Blues midfielder Cesc Fabregas, worth £22m for the England international. Reports suggest Chelsea are holding out for around £35m for Chalobah, who is currently at the World Cup with England after being called up as a replacement for Newcastle's Tino Livramento.
On the attacking front, Chelsea have made contact with Benfica regarding Norwegian winger Andreas Schjelderup. The 22-year-old, also at the World Cup, has an £86m release clause in his contract, but Benfica are willing to sell for around £35m amid interest from Chelsea, AC Milan and Como. However, Schjelderup has reservations about joining Chelsea given that the club have failed to qualify for the Champions League. This is not the first time he has been linked with a Premier League move; Liverpool tried to sign him in 2023 but he opted for Benfica. Schjelderup has had limited game time at the World Cup, coming off the bench in Norway's first two group matches before starting the 4-1 defeat to France.
Chelsea's willingness to strengthen both defence and attack reflects Alonso's plans for the squad, with further movement expected before the window closes. The Blues remain active in the market despite already having an abundance of forwards at the club, indicating that the new manager will shape the team to his liking.