Osimhen transfer, Liverpool star joins – Chelsea could make four bargain signings this summer

Some of the biggest names in Europe could be available for a discounted fee this summer.

From January, clubs will be eligible to open pre-contract talks with players who only have six months or so remaining on their deal. Real Madrid, for example, have enjoyed lots of success in this department in the past, signing Kylian Mbappe and Trent Alexander-Arnold on free transfers.

If there’s no indication that a player wants to extend their stay, the club are forced to make a difficult decision. They have to consider whether they’d rather risk losing a multi-million pound asset for free or cut their losses during the summer transfer window.

When Manchester United forked out £55m, plus £5m in add-ons, for Mason Mount in June 2023, he only had a year left on his contract. Rather than gamble on whether Cobham graduate would pen a new deal, Chelsea cashed in.

While the Red Devils hardly negotiated a bargain in this instance, they capitalised on the Blues’ need to sell. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at what players Chelsea could sign for a cut-price fee this summer.

Victor Osimhen

Osimhen could be available for a discounted price, having recently entered the final year of his contract. The Napoli striker was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge last summer, but a deal collapsed at the eleventh hour.

football.london understands that Chelsea submitted a bid for Osimhen in the final days of the summer transfer window. It’s believed that the Blues wanted to sign the Nigeria international on a season-long loan, which included an obligation-to-buy clause.

Despite Chelsea’s best efforts, they couldn’t reach an agreement with the Italian giants before the deadline. So, having already been omitted from the first team by Antonio Conte, Napoli scrambled to find Osimhen a new club.

He snubbed an ‘extortionate’ offer from the Saudi Pro League before joining Galatasaray on loan. While Aurelio De Laurentiis has often pointed towards the £64m release clause, he could be forced to accept a cheaper bid or shrewdly structured offer.

Ibrahima Konate

Konate would be a bit of superb business. According to Sky Sports, in Germany, the 26-year-old defender has recently held talks with Liverpool over a new deal, which is currently set to expire in June 2026, but no progress was made.

Chelsea are in desperate need of a world-class centre-back who can take Maresca’s back-line to the next level. Whether he’s brought in for a cut-price fee or on a free next summer, Konate would be an excellent addition.

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Donnarumma would be another great option for Chelsea this summer, although he seems keen to stay at Paris Saint-Germain. Speaking to Sky Italia, following a 2-0 win over Moldova last month, the 26-year-old goalkeeper provided an update on his future.

“My priority is to stay at PSG. I don’t think there will be problems in the negotiations,” said Donnarumma. ESPN reckon that Inter Milan and Man Utd had previously contacted his agent to enquire about his availability.

Ethan Nwaneri

Nwaneri has recently emerged as a potential target for the Blues. According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are interested in the Arsenal wonderkid, who has recently entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

The report claims the Blues are monitoring Nwaneri’s situation in the event that he doesn’t pen an extension in north London. It’s said that the Gunners have already opened talks with the 18-year-old midfielder over a new deal.