Chelsea handed double transfer boost after Rafael Leao update as summer plan outlined

It was a deflating weekend for Chelsea after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

Enzo Maresca’s side had taken an early lead through Enzo Fernandez, but Marco Asensio bagged a brace in the second half, thanks to two assists from Marcus Rashford. It was a missed opportunity for Chelsea to jump into fourth place following defeats to Manchester City and Nottingham Forest to Liverpool and Newcastle United respectively.

They will have the opportunity to bounce back when Southampton visit Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night (8.15pm kick-off). With 12 games left of the season and with plenty of football of the season left to be played, players continue to be linked with a move to the club, more than ever ahead of the summer transfer window.

With that said, football.london has taken a look at the latest headlines.

Defender ‘wants’ Chelsea move

Chelsea have reportedly received a major boost in their pursuit for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi ahead of the summer. Guehi, who left Stamford Bridge in 2021, is claimed to be interested in a return to the club.

That’s according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who told Give Me Sport: “There will be other suitors. Of course, we shouldn’t discount Newcastle, who made a series of bids last summer – and Tottenham could return, even though Kevin Danso ended up joining. But I think the feeling is that Guehi knows Chelsea, obviously very well. He’s been there before, he’s open to that move, and I’m told he would ideally like to stay in London.

“So Chelsea can see value in the fee for Guehi, which has been deemed to be very inflated in previous windows. But if – because of his contractual situation – that fee drops to in and around £50million, I think that is a deal that Chelsea will return for. And if they can agree a fee with Palace, I think the player is open to returning to Stamford Bridge.”

football.london says: This should be a no-brainer for the Blues. Guehi is a player that has evolved a lot since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2021 and would be a very reliable option in defence. There would be no risk re-signing Guehi again as he has gone grown in leaps and bounds, becoming an England international and establishing himself as one of the finest defenders in the Premier League – his performances at Selhurst Park backing that.

AC Milan star on the radar

Spanish newspaper AS (via TEAMtalk) have reported Chelsea to be one of the clubs lining up for the signature of AC Milan winger Rafael Leao. The Blues looked at signing a new winger last month and were looking at Alejandro Garnacho before deciding against meeting his reported £70million fee.

As the club will look at bolstering that area of the pitch in the summer, Leao has emerged as a potential target. However, the report adds that Chelsea are ‘primed’ to rival Barcelona for Leao. But the Spanish giants are said to still be facing financial challenges, which puts Chelsea in a strong position.

football.london says: There’s no doubt the left-wing is an area that Chelsea must strengthen in the summer after failing to address it in the January transfer window. Having lost Mykhailo Mudryk following a failed drugs test and consequently seen target Mathys Tel join Tottenham, it has been a major blow for the club. Leao should be a player Chelsea looks at, having been consistent in Serie A over the years. However, Chelsea should be prepared to face challenges to land him as he’s likely to attract interest from elsewhere too.