Maresca completes first Chelsea transfer as Boehly hijacks Man United plan

Enzo Maresca may have just landed his first signing as the new Chelsea manager. The Blues have been heavily linked with some big names recently – like Benjamin Sesko, who will almost certainly demand an eye-watering fee – but a slightly shrewder, more modest acquisition has been made.

Chelsea will be expected to welcome numerous new faces to Stamford Bridge this summer, so they may be left with no choice but to offload a few of their own players. Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah face particularly uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge, with any potential sale going down as straight profit on the books.

For now, though, the duo both have contracts in west London and it remains unclear what positions Maresca wants to strengthen. Nevertheless, Chelsea’s sporting directors will definitely have to make some tough decisions in the next couple of weeks.

So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest Chelsea news and transfer gossip on Sunday, June 2.

Signed, sealed and delivered!

Chelsea have been given a major boost to their hopes of signing Tosin Adarabioyo following the expiration of his contract at Fulham this month. The 26-year-old defender has been heavily linked with moves to Manchester United and Newcastle lately, but the Blues appear to have come out on top.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Adarabioyo. The report states that a medical, which will take place next week, has already been booked and further documents will be signed after all being well.

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Despite missing a large chunk of the campaign due to a groin injury, he featured 20 times in the Premier League this season. Adarabioyo, who worked closely with Maresca during his formative years at Manchester City, helped Fulham avoid relegation from the top flight, falling short of a top-half finish by just two points.

football.london says: “Chelsea have done brilliantly to fend off competition from Manchester United and Newcastle to sign Tosin Adarabioyo on a free. He’ll be an excellent signing and somebody who raises the Blues’ base level. Now, unfortunately, either Axel Disasi or Trevoh Chalobah will be sold. I’m hoping it’s the former but I fear it’ll be the latter.”

Chelsea urged to sign Toney…

Chelsea have been urged to sign Ivan Toney this summer. The Brentford striker faces an increasingly uncertain future at the G-Tech Community Stadium, with his contract set to expire in June 2025.

Speaking to Genting Casino, Teddy Sheringham said: “I think Ivan Toney would be a fantastic signing for anyone in London, Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea or even West Ham. Any one of those clubs would have him, he is a fantastic player who would enhance any of those sides I’ve just mentioned.

“I don’t know what’s happened to his form, but I think a player of his stature can give a lot to a football team. He is a leader who knows his position and is coming into the prime of his career. I think he would be a great asset.”

football.london says: “Ivan Toney would be a great signing for either of the four London clubs, but I wouldn’t spend more than £40million. He’s good, but the fees that I’ve seen some people quote are just absurd. He’s 28. His contract has 12-months remaining. He also failed to score in his last 12 Premier League games.”

New goalkeeper considered

Chelsea remain interested in Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, football.london understands. The Blues are in the market for a new goalkeeper once again despite signing both Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez last summer on permanent deals.

It’s believed that Mardashvili has been admired by Chelsea for quite some time now. The club sent scouts to watch him in the second half of the 2022/23 season initially, where they were watching numerous players including the Georgia international.

Notably, Chelsea scouts were said to be left ‘highly impressed’ by his performance against Real Madrid last May, football.london understands, with Valencia winning 1-0. Mamardashvili has three years left to run on his contract at the Mestalla but has been strongly linked with a move away ahead of the 2024 summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper is very much still of interest to Chelsea as the club’s co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart assess their options. Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal is another option for Chelsea.

football.london says: “I’m certainly open to the idea that Chelsea should sign a new goalkeeper. Ultimately, Djordje Petrovic arrived as a number two but, with Robert Sanchez struggling to impress, he forced himself into Mauricio Pochettino’s starting lineup.”