Xavi Simons' reps accelerate Chelsea transfer as Blues target four-player clearout

Xavi Simons' entourage have travelled to RB Leipzig's pre-season training camp as they look to push through the Dutchman's switch to Chelsea. The Blues have identified the 22-year-old attacking midfielder as a primary target and are looking to exploit their strong relations with his agent Ali Barat to get the exciting acquisition over the line.

Chelsea are mindful that both Bayern Munich and Arsenal have also shown interest in Simons, however, there is confidence they already have the approval of the player after presenting their project, including where they expect the former Paris Saint-Germain and PSV starlet to bed into Enzo Maresca's side.

The Club World Cup champions have also started contacts with RB Leipzig, who value Simons around the £60million mark and are now waiting for Chelsea to present a formal bid.

It's understood Simons' brother Faustino, who operates as one of the Holland international's advisors, has travelled to Leipzig's training camp in Donaueschingen, Germany alongside a representative from Barat's agency Epic Sports to accelerate the process.

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Simons has trained as normal alongside his team-mates all week, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be involved in Saturday's friendly against Toulouse as it's now becoming increasingly clear that his departure is likely to materialise soon.

Discussions are also continuing with Ajax for Jorrel Hato and an initial verbal offer, submitted to kickstart negotiations between the clubs, has already been knocked back by the Dutch giants. Hato's omission from Ajax's 5-1 friendly demolition of Celtic on Thursday night was pre-planned according to new boss Johnny Heitinga as the young defender was late returning to pre-season training following his involvement at the U21 Euros.

That said, Dutch sources believe his involvement in Sunday's game versus Como is not guaranteed as Chelsea have turned the player's head and there's optimism a deal will get done as the 19-year-old wants to complete the move.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are seeking to make room within their squad for new arrivals - Juventus' Kenan Yildiz and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho remain admired - with Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson among a list of potential high-profile departures.

Benfica are currently in discussions with the Blues over a deal for former player Felix, who they sold to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019 for a whopping fee of £113million.

Chelsea are effectively looking to recoup the £45m they paid Atletico for the Portuguese attacker last summer but Benfica are unable to get close to that figure.

So far, Benfica have proposed paying a bulk fee worth just over £20m for 50 per cent of the forward's rights, which would be reflected by a sizeable sell-on clause worth up to 50 per cent.

Talks with super-agent Jorge Mendes are ongoing to unlock the deal - as Felix has already made it clear he wants to go back to Lisbon - but the operation looks complex. Other formulas and left-field clauses have also been discussed, including Benfica potentially paying the Blues a cut of money if they reject any offers for the attacker in the future.

Felix has been training at Cobham for the past two weeks after being excluded from Chelsea's Club World Cup squad following his six-month loan spell with AC Milan but his future lies away from Stamford Bridge after new signing Dario Essugo took his No.14 shirt upon signing from Sporting CP.

Napoli are the latest club to be offered the chance to sign Raheem Sterling, who is admired by Antonio Conte, but any deal would require the England international to take a significant wage cut and the Italian champions also have other wide options shortlisted ahead of the 30-year-old.

Chelsea favour a permanent sale and value Sterling at around £20m but Napoli are only likely to consider a loan which would require the Blues to pay a portion of his wages.

Renato Veiga is still in line to depart after Atletico Madrid withdrew their interest; two unnamed Premier League clubs have made enquiries while Bayern Munich are continuing to monitor his situation.

The Blues are not actively looking to sell striker Jackson but would likely listen to suitable offers, though they value the Senegal international at upwards of £80m and would use Liverpool's deal to sign Hugo Ekitike as a yardstick during any potential negotiations.

Manchester United are currently ruling out a straight-cash swoop for Jackson and any move on their part would have to involve other players moving in the opposition direction to west London.

Fulham are the latest side to register interest in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and the Cottagers would be open to exploring an initial loan with a buy-option. West Ham also like the ex-Leicester maestro, who could yet remain with Chelsea as he is a popular member of Maresca's squad.

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