Raheem Sterling is not expected to be part of Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad with Arsenal confirming he will return to Stamford Bridge.
talkSPORT understands the 30-year-old, who spent the 2024/25 season on loan at the Emirates, is set for talks over his future this month with a departure anticipated.
Chelsea are likely to leave several names behind from their squad for the tournament that starts later this month in the USA, even though they can select 35 players.
Meanwhile, Axel Disasi could also be given June to find a new club following his loan spell at Aston Villa.
Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja and Alfie Gilchrist are three other names up for sale this summer after they were loaned out to Crystal Palace, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday respectively.
However, suggestions Noni Madueke could be sold are downplayed by Chelsea insiders.
The England international remains valued by Enzo Maresca and only an offer too strong to turn down might make Chelsea to reconsider.
Newcastle held historical interest in Madueke, but it’s believed they are not planning on rekindling interest, even if they miss out on Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo.
Chelsea also want to resolve their goalkeeper situation before the Club World Cup.
The long-standing plan was to rank Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic, Filip Jorgensen and the highly-rated Mike Penders during the Club World Cup and over the summer rather than necessarily bring in any new keeper.
Yet the club view Mike Maignan as an opportunistic target given Milan’s lack of European football next season and the fact the 29-year-old only has one year left on his current deal.
Maignan is open to the move and Milan want at least £20million, but Chelsea are not prepared to go quite that high.
Should a move not materialise, Chelsea are content with the goalkeepers they have and will only look at elite options who can be secured at value.
The bigger priority is still to find a right-footed left winger.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams are three options considered.
Contact has already been made with Dortmund over Gittens.
Williams, meanwhile, has an appealing £50m release clause, but the overall cost of any deal is high given his wage and the agent fees involved, and the Spain international is also engaged in early-stage talks to renew at Athletic Bilbao.
This could put pressure on suitors to move fast since any new contract would likely have a new and higher release clause.
Chelsea will also be taking some new faces to America for the Club World Cup.
The club’s preference is to have soon-to-be-announced striker Liam Delap in their squad, even though the 22-year-old was anticipating playing in the Under-21 Euros with England instead.
There is still ongoing dialogue as to the best approach, but Chelsea can chose to block Delap’s inclusion in this summer’s tournament in Slovakia if they wish as club football would take precedence.
Andrey Santos will also be part of Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad following an impressive loan at Strasbourg in which he scored ten goals.
He is not considered for sale this summer despite genuine Bayern Munich interest.
Kendry Paez will also be part of the travelling party.
The 18-year-old midfielder joins from Independiente del Valle for £15m in a deal pre-agreed back in June 2023.
Paez has already visited Cobham to train and spent time with Strasbourg.
He is yet to be informed he is being loaned to Strasbourg next season, but talkSPORT understands this is a realistic possibility.
Mathis Amogou is also expected to be loaned to Chelsea’s sister club next campaign, but could also play at the Club World Cup first.
