Chelsea make approach to sign World Cup star and reject £22m bid

Chelsea have made an approach to sign Benfica winger Andreas Schjelderup and rejected a £22m offer for Trevoh Chalobah.

The Blues are working on a number of summer signings as Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder, prepares to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are set to make Marco Palestra their first summing signing after agreeing a £51m deal for the Atalanta full-back.

Inter Milan were leading the race to sign Palestra, a 21-year-old Italian international, but Alonso helped convince him to move to west London.

Chelsea targeted Palestra as they are open to offers for current right-back Malo Gusto, who has emerged as a target for new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca.

There has also been movement in the left-back position with Marc Cucurella completing a £52m move to Real Madrid.

At centre-back Chelsea have expressed interest in Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix and Como’s Jacobo Ramon.

Part of the reason they are looking to strengthen at centre-back is their willingness to sell academy graduate Chalobah this summer.

Chalobah has made 151 appearances for his boyhood club since his first-team debut in 2018 and was a mainstay in the side last season, playing 47 games in all competitions.

But the 26-year-old has had long spells on the periphery of the team, having loans at Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and Lorient.

While Chelsea are open to offers for Chalobah, they have rejected a second offer from Como for the England international worth £22m, according to The Times.

Como, managed by ex-Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, are keen to sign Chalobah are qualifying for the Champions League last season.

But it is claimed Chelsea want around £35m for Chalobah – who is currently at the World Cup with England – a figure Como are unlikely to meet.

Chalobah was initially left out of England’s World Cup squad but got a late call-up as an injury replacement for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento.

Chelsea are interested in signing new attacking players despite an abundance of forwards already at the club and have made an approach to Benfica for Schjelderup.

Portuguese outlet Record say Chelsea made contact with Benfica to find out whether they would be willing to sell the 22-year-old this summer.

However, Schjelderup – who is also at the World cup with Norway – has reservations over the move given Chelsea failed to qualify for the Champions League.

This is not the first time Schjelderup has been linked with a move to the Premier League – Liverpool tried to sign him in 2023 but the Norwegian rejected the Anfield club in favour of Benfica.

Schjelderup’s current contract includes a stunning £86m release clause but Benfica are willing to cash in for around £35m amid interest from Chelsea, AC Milan and Como.

After coming on as a substitute in Norway’s first two World Cup group games, Schjelderup started the 4-1 defeat to France last time out.

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