For many around the Chelsea camp, the focus will firmly be on the chance to win not one but two major honours in as the season draws to a close.
The Blues take on Leicester City in the FA Cup final later this afternoon, before meeting fellow Premier League rival’s Manchester City in the Champions League final on May 29.
Under Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea are yet to meet the Foxes, though Brendan Rodgers’ side did comfortably beat a Lampard-led Chelsea earlier on in the season.
However, Tuchel has already met Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on two different occasions, impressively winning both.
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The first came in the FA Cup semi final, a Hakim Ziyech goal enough to separate the two and end any City hopes of a historic quadruple.
Chelsea then earned a valuable three points at the Etihad, a 92nd minute Marcos Alonso ensuring Chelsea left Manchester with the win secured and potentially boasting a psychological advantage over Guardiola’s side.
However, with just four games left to play in all competitions, those high up in the Blues hierarchy will be planning for an active transfer window this summer to help Tuchel build on what could be a stunning end to the season.
Including speculation surrounding the return of a familiar face, here is Saturday’s Chelsea transfer-round up.
Chelsea in contact with Haaland’s agent and father
Few players across the continent are as in-demand as Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, who has a lengthy list of potential suitors.
Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea’s Champions League final opponents Manchester City have all been touted as rumoured destinations for the Norwegian sensation.
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However, according to caughtoffside, the Blues are the latest club to register their interest in Haaland, making contact with the player’s father as well as his agent, the notorious Mino Raiola.
The race to secure Haaland’s signature sees a new super-club take the lead almost every other day, but Roman Abrahmovic has taken the step of setting up direct communication with those close to the star in a bid to build relations ahead of a potential move.
Borussia Dortmund may be tempted to sell Haaland this summer, given the striker’s release clause drops to £68m in 2022 – significantly lower than the German outfit’s current asking price.
Hazard set for a potential Chelsea return
Eden Hazard has endured a miserable two years in Madrid, failing to capture the kind of form that made him one of the Premier League’s brightest talents while at Chelsea.
However, according to HLN’s Kristof Terreur, Hazard is still highly thought of in the Blue half of West London and has plenty of admirers back at his old club.
After touching down in Madrid following Los Blancos parting ways with £103.5m for his services, Hazard’s Real Madrid career has been blighted with a number of persistent injuries.
In two seasons the Belgian star has made just 42 appearances for Zinedine Zidane’s side, sparking rumours of a Chelsea return.
Terruer claimed that Hazard still sees Stamford Bridge as his ‘home’ and has even kept his home in London.
The current Real Madrid man established himself as a legend at Chelsea, making over 350 appearances for the Blues during his previous seven-year stay, scoring 110 goals and assisting a further 92.
Blues could part with £61m for Varane
Varane has long been one of the most highly-rated central defenders in European football, winning just about every major honour in club football before he’d even hit the age of 25.
Now 28, the French defender is reportedly keen on seeking pastures new, calling time on his ten-year stay at Real Madrid.
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According to football.london, Chelsea’s transfer guru Marina Granovskaia is willing to meet the £61m asking price that Zinedine Zidane’s Madrid have slapped on their defensive stalwart.
Though Varane remains one of the best central defenders around, given Real Madrid’s precarious financial situation – that figure may be enough to tempt club president Florentino Perez into accepting his departure.
Chelsea will have to fend off interest from fellow Premier League rivals Manchester United, who also see Varane as the answer to their defensive woes as they search for a long-term ready made partner for Harry Maguire.
