Chelsea are accelerating their plans to reshape their attack, with moves for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons now top of their agenda.
The Stamford Bridge club have already brought in Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens in a busy summer window, but sources indicate they are far from finished.
Chelsea are targeting Garnacho, 21, and Simons, 22, in a double swoop as they look to refresh their forward line and provide manager Enzo Maresca with more options in attack.
United are open to offers for Garnacho as they close in on the signing of Benjamin Sesko from Leipzig.
The Argentine winger has been left out of pre-season plans and, while Chelsea would prefer a loan with an option to buy, United are willing to sell him permanently for an offer in the region of £30–50 million.
Chelsea Transfer News: Xavi Simons Update
Conversations are also ongoing between Chelsea and RB Leipzig regarding Simons, who enjoyed a strong season in Germany following a €50 million move from PSG.
Simons has agreed personal terms with Chelsea, despite interest from Bayern Munich, and is expected to cost around £61 million.
Leipzig, who have identified Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott as a possible replacement, are reluctant to sell unless their valuation is met.
Capable of playing across the front line or in attacking midfield, Simons would undoubtedly add flexibility to Chelsea’s squad – especially with several exits expected in the coming weeks.
Nicolas Jackson Could Be Sacrificed to Fund Moves
One of the most likely departures is striker Nicolas Jackson. The 24-year-old scored 13 goals last season but has slipped down the pecking order following Chelsea’s summer signings.
While Jackson is believed to want to stay and fight for his place, Chelsea are open to selling — and have placed a price tag of around £80 million on the Senegal international.
As we reported, Newcastle have turned to Nicolas Jackson after missing out on top target Benjamin Sesko.
Jackson is also attracting interest from Serie A sides, including AC Milan, but Chelsea will hold out for a significant fee as they look to reinvest in Garnacho and Simons.
Alejandro Garnacho Transfer Latest
While Chelsea value Garnacho highly, they are reluctant to meet United’s full asking price and could pursue a similar approach to last summer’s loan move for Jadon Sancho.
Manchester United would prefer a straight sale, but insiders are suggesting a loan with an option to buy is more realistic.
Garnacho, for his part, is said to be keen on the move after being told by Ruben Amorim that he’s not in the manager’s plans.
Whether Chelsea push for a permanent deal or accept a temporary one, Garnacho would add pace and directness to an attack that lacked consistency at times last season.
Chelsea Transfer Business 25/26
Chelsea have been busy this summer – both in terms of ingoings and outgoings. Striker Marc Guiu is close to joining Sunderland on loan, while Burnley are nearing a £20 million move for Armando Broja.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set to sign from Everton in a £28 million deal, and Borussia Dortmund are in talks to sign Carney Chukwuemeka permanently after his loan spell.
The departures of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Joao Felix, and Noni Madueke have already brought in over £100 million in potential fees, and more exits are expected, including Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, and possibly Ben Chilwell.
With Ajax defender Jorrel Hato already through the door, Garnacho and Simons could be the final two pieces in a new-look Chelsea front line – but only if the club can move quickly and decisively in a competitive market.
