Chelsea working on shortlist of five men for 'big money' signing as decision made on trio

Chelsea are reportedly working with a shortlist of five players ahead of the summer transfer window, with Todd Boehly keen to bolster their midfield options while Jorginho is expected to leave as a free agent. The Blues have had a difficult campaign so far since Graham Potter took over from Thomas Tuchel.

The German coach received a large transfer budget to improve the playing squad with the arrival of Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly. But Boehly sacked Tuchel just days after the transfer window closed and Potter replaced him.

After a promising start, Potter has come under intense scrutiny, with Chelsea winning just one of their last eight league games. Attention has now turned to the January transfer window, with Chelsea already one of the busiest clubs in the market.

David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile and Andrey Santos have since been joined by Joao Felix as new signings at Stamford Bridge. Felix joins on a short-term loan until the end of the season to help provide another option in the attacking areas.

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But it's in midfield that Chelsea may need an overhaul this summer. Jorginho and N'Golo Kante are both out of contract at the end of the season while Denis Zakaria is likely to return to Juventus after his loan spell.

According to , Chelsea are working to sign Kante to a new contract and positive talks have taken place with the Frenchman. However, the report adds that West Londoners are losing faith that Jorginho will put pen to paper on a new deal.

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The Italian has been flirting with the prospect of a return to Serie A in recent years and Chelsea believe he will be looking to leave as a free agent this summer. Kante is joined by Mason Mount as two priorities for Chelsea in contract talks over the next few months.

But they are also scouring the market for midfield options as a possible replacement for Jorginho. Five players are said to be high on Chelsea's options list, including English duo Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister are the three other options Chelsea are considering and it is suggested they could try with a move this month. Chelsea have already failed to convince Benfica to sell Fernandez in January, with the Portuguese side frustrated by talks with the Blues.