Frank Lampard sends transfer message as Chelsea manager targets four new signings

Posted Monday, June 01, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Frank Lampard sends transfer message as Chelsea manager targets four new signings
Chelsea transfer news: Frank Lampard has revealed the Blues will make signings this summer (Image: GETTY)

Frank Lampard has admitted he needs to freshen up his Chelsea squad in the summer transfer window as the Blues line up a number of new signings.

Chelsea are expected to be busy in the upcoming transfer market after Frank Lampard admitted he needs to freshen up his squad this summer. The Blues manager is expected to bolster his options in a number of key areas while several first-team players are likely to depart the club.

Chelsea were unable to make any signings last summer due to a transfer ban imposed by FIFA, although they could turn Mateo Kovacic's loan from Real Madrid into a permanent switch.

The restrictions - set to run for two windows - were lifted in January after an appeal but Lampard was left frustrated after the Blues failed to sign any new faces.

Chelsea were able to agree a £33.4million deal for Hakim Ziyech in February, with the Ajax star set to join up with the Blues squad imminently, but more signings are expected as the Stamford Bridge club eye a squad overhaul

Speaking to the club's official magazine, Lampard said: "I’m certainly excited about the squad we’ve got, with the young players and if we can get a few additions for areas I feel we need.

"We didn’t bring in anyone in January, it didn’t work out to be right for us at the time, and last summer we couldn’t bring anyone in, so those windows are gone and we haven’t changed.

"So I am excited about the squad we’ve got, if we can freshen up in the right areas we all know that."

Chelsea recently offered Olivier Giroud and Willy Caballero 12-month contract extensions but both Pedro and Willian are coming to the end of their current deals and expected to leave

Willian turned down a two-year offer, with the Brazilian demanding a three-year extension, and now looks set for a move to Tottenham or Arsenal while Pedro is attracting attention from Juventus and Roma.

Meanwhile, Michy Batshuayi is likely to be sold if Chelsea can find a buyer while Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are reportedly keen on Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Atletico Madrid are expected to shell out £48.5m in order to make Alvaro Morata's loan move permanent while Davide Zappacosta is keen to extend his loan spell with Roma.

Other potential departures include Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri, with the left-backs linked to Inter Milan and Juventus respectively.

Jorginho is also wanted in Turin as former manager Maurizio Sarri looks to cherry-pick his favourites from Lampard's squad.

Finally, Kepa Arrizabalaga's future remains uncertain after an inconsistent season so it remains to be seen whether the Blues cut their losses and sign a new stopper.

Frank Lampard sends transfer message as Chelsea manager targets four new signings
Chelsea transfer news: The Blues boss wants to strengthen his squad in several areas (Image: GETTY)

Lampard is widely believed to want at least four new signings - a striker, attacking midfielder or winger, left-back and central defender - but this number could increase depending on departures.

Moussa Dembele is favourite to join from Lyon in an attempt to ease the goalscoring burden on Tammy Abraham, although Victor Osimhen and Timo Werner have also been linked.

Jadon Sancho is also considered a high-priority target, although the Borussia Dortmund ace could cost as much as £120m and Manchester United are thought to be keen.

Philippe Coutinho and Kai Havertz are alternative attacking options while FC Porto ace Jesus Corona has been identified as a cheap substitute.

Ben Chilwell is favourite to fill the left-back spot but Leicester could demand £80m for the England international - the same fee United paid for Harry Maguire last year.

Alex Telles and Nicolas Tagliafico would be more affordable choices in that department, although both are attracting suitors of their own.

Lampard is yet to settle on a preferred partner for Antonio Rudiger in central defence so Gabriel Margalhaes or Xavier Mbuyamba could provide competition for Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen.

Meanwhile, Andre Onana has been touted as a viable option if Kepa leaves but Gianluigi Donnarumma, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson, Juan Musso and Marc-Andre tee Stegen have also been mentioned.

A new central midfielder may also be required if Jorginho departs, although the Blues are well stocked with Ruben Loftus-Cheek fit after injury and Billy Gilmour enjoying a breakthrough campaign.