Chelsea Closes In on Massive Transfer Windfall as Star Midfielder Departure Gets Official Green Light
With Lesley Ugochukwu's transfer to Burnley, Chelsea approaches an impressive £200 million ($266.9 million) in player departures this summer.
The Blues were busy in the early transfer period, securing Liam Delap, João Pedro and Jamie Gittens, while defender Jorrel Hato arrived from Ajax this month. Though Chelsea maintains ambitions for additional signings, their priority has been offloading players before pursuing new acquisitions.
Ugochukwu was among those targeted for departure, completing a permanent switch to Burnley for approximately £25 million ($33.4 million) as reported by Fabrizio Romano. The French midfielder represents the 10th player to exit Chelsea this summer.
Noni Madueke, João Félix, Đorđe Petrović, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Mathis Amougou, Bashir Humphreys, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Marcus Bettinelli have all left since last season concluded, while striker Armando Broja's £20 million ($26.7 million) transfer to Burnley has been finalized.
Should Broja's Turf Moor move proceed as anticipated, Chelsea will surpass the £200 million threshold in confirmed transfer revenue, excluding potential bonuses.
Without add-ons, and excluding the previously arranged signings of Estêvão and Kendry Páez, Chelsea's summer transfer expenditure hasn't yet hit £200 million, though plans exist to increase that figure.
RB Leipzig's Xavi Simons remains a priority target and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho could potentially join, but both acquisitions might be balanced by additional sales if Chelsea completes several pending departures.
Players still available for transfer at Chelsea include Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga and Raheem Sterling, potentially generating another £100 million ($133.4 million) through exits before the window closes.
This summer has proven exceptionally profitable for Chelsea, who reportedly earned approximately £85 million ($113.4 million) from their FIFA Club World Cup victory and are now using that achievement in negotiations for a new front-of-shirt sponsorship deal.