Chelsea transfer roundup: Edouard Mendy update amid plan to fund Declan Rice move

The latest transfer gossip from around Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard's side prepare to begin their Premier League campaign against Brighton on Monday night

No team in the Premier League has spent more money than Chelsea this summer.

A near-£200million outlay on the likes of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell and others has seen the Blues provide Frank Lampard with the talent that could potentially even mount a title challenge.

Despite this, there is still much work for Chelsea to complete in the transfer market, including adding a goalkeeper, which was a big area of weakness entering the summer window.

The Blues start their Premier League campaign against Brighton on Monday night. Lampard’s team will hope to make a strong start, while work behind the scenes to fine-tune the squad continues.

Here is the latest round-up of the Chelsea transfer rumours.

Mendy signing a matter of time

After an error-strewn second season which ultimately ended in Willy Caballero starting several games in the final stages of the campaign, Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Chelsea future was uncertain.

Many viewed the goalkeeper position as one of Chelsea’s primary needs entering the summer window, and now it seems that the club are set to land their man to provide competition for Kepa.

Rennes keeper Edouard Mendy is on the verge of completing a transfer, which will be sealed in "a matter of time” per recent reports.

Ouest France via Sport Witness claim Mendy’s move to London will happen imminently as Rennes are already looking for their replacement.

Inter want Marcos Alonso

After Chelsea signed Chilwell earlier in the summer window, Marcos Alonso’s future at the club was put in doubt.

The Spaniard, who is much better suited to a wing-back role than a full-back one, does not fit into Lampard’s long-term plans and could be sold this summer.

And Sky Italia, via Sports Mole, report that Inter Milan are at the front of the queue to secure a transfer.

Antonio Conte, who is head coach at Inter, used Alonso in a wing-back role brilliantly during Chelsea’s last title victory and would seemingly like to reunite with his former star.

The Blues are said to be open to offers.

Blues to sell quartet to fund Rice move

After such an extensive outlay on Havertz, Werner and Chilwell, Chelsea are having to raise funds for a move for West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.

And per the Daily Star, Chelsea could sell four players to help fund a move for the England international, who the Hammers reportedly value at £80m.

The list includes Jorginho, who lost his starting spot after lockdown, Andreas Christensen, who has slipped down the centre-back pecking order after the arrival of Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has been heavily linked with a loan deal with AC Milan, and forgotten man Danny Drinkwater.