Chelsea have the transfer ban still hovering over their heads, and a decision on whether the ban will be frozen on appeal, still up in the air. But as we know, Chelsea are planning for both scenarios.
And so is Maurizio Sarri, if the latest reports from Corrierre dello Sport are to be believed.
Sarri wanted to sign Elseid Hysaj in the summer, and again in January, as he searched for a Davide Zappacosta replacement. But the 25-year old full back wasn’t allowed to leave Napoli at the time, but its rumoured that Sarri is still keen on signing the Albanian international for Chelsea.
The latest report state that Sarri is now keen on bringing in Lorenzo Insigne from Napoli as well as Hysaj, to replace the alleged departing Eden Hazard.
Chelsea of course, have other ideas. They believe that Reece James will come into the first team fold next season regardless of if their is a transfer ban or not, after a very impressive season on loan at Wigan. James is predominantly a right back, but has also been playing centre midfield a lot for Wigan.
The 27-year old forward is reportedly interested in joining Sarri at Chelsea after being at Napoli his entire career so far. Liverpool are also said to be turning the Italian internationals head this summer.
The Chelsea board seem to have a different thinking to Sarri though, with them being against the loan signing of Gonzalo Higuain in January. But Sarri persisted and eventually got his way.
But with the Italians future seemingly dependent on gaining Champions League football, it’s even unclear whether he will still be in charge this summer, let alone asking the club to sign players.