Xavi Simons wait, Alejandro Garnacho confidence and Chelsea taking big risk with four players

Chelsea are looking to wrap up a deal to sign Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig (Image: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images)

Chelsea are looking to bring in two new players before the summer transfer window closes in seven days' time. Yes, we are now into the final week of the period used to strengthen the squad for the 2025/26 campaign - and for the Blues , it is set to be an extremely busy last few days.

This might have already started sounding like a broken record but Chelsea are still in talks with RB Leipzig over a deal to bring Xavi Simons to Stamford Bridge. The Blues initially opened club-to-club talks with Leipzig over a month ago but it has proven complicated and patience has been required because the west Londoners are still looking to offload some players.

Not only for financial reasons, but also to make some space for Simons. The 22-year-old has bided his time thus far, while still remaining the ultimate professional and playing for Leipzig - which has not been the case for every player this summer. Simons is desperate to complete the move to Chelsea, with the two parties already broadly agreeing personal terms.

Meanwhile, a whole host of players are set to leave Chelsea before the summer transfer window closes next week. Carney Chukwuemeka and Aaron Anselmino are both on their way to Borussia Dortmund, with the former set to sign a permanent deal and the latter moving to Signal Iduna Park on a season-long loan.

Axel Disasi is up for sale, with the French defender currently training away from the first team squad at Cobham. Disasi has interest from the Premier League and abroad, but there is nothing advanced just yet. Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling are also up for sale - and both have interest in their services - but it is now a race against the clock to find them a new home.

Alfie Gilchrist is expected to leave Chelsea on a permanent basis before the window concludes. The 21-year-old defender is keen to move on from Stamford Bridge as he looks for regular first team football elsewhere and the Blues will sanction his sale for the right price. There is interest from several teams in the Championship for Gilchrist, who spent last season on loan at Sheffield United in the second-tier.

Chelsea are also open to offers for Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku . While the Blues will happily keep Jackson around if they do not receive the right sort of money for the striker, they will be happy to grant his wish of leaving the club. Aston Villa and Newcastle United are the latest clubs to show a keen interest in the Senegal international, who also has admirers from Italy.

As for Nkunku, Bayern Munich wanted to sign the Frenchman but on a loan deal. Chelsea want a permanent solution for the 27-year-old forward, who is keen to leave the club after two underwhelming seasons in SW6. RB Leipzig are interested in re-signing Nkunku, who left the Red Bull Arena in 2023 to join Chelsea.

Nkunku, Disasi, Sterling and Chilwell are all training away from the first team at the moment. If Chelsea are unable to offload the quartet before the window closes, it will be interesting to see what the club do with them - because right now, it feels like a big risk.