Chelsea need substantial sales in this summer’s transfer window in order to avoid breaching the Premier League’s financial rules.
The west Londoners have posted significant losses for the second successive season, with £121.1m reported for last season after a loss of £153.4 million for the 2020/21 campaign. Chelsea have attributed those losses in part to the government sanctions imposed on former owner Roman Abramovich.
According to the Times, Chelsea insist the club have complied with the Premier League’s financial rules this season despite a record-breaking spend across the past two transfer windows. Chelsea have spent more than £600m on new additions since last summer, including the £106.1m British transfer record arrival of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
The Blues have spread out the cost of several deals across the length of the contracts involved, but the increase in wage bill and expected loss of prize money this season mean ‘substantial’ sales will still be required this summer.
If Chelsea do need to raise funds through player sales, the business must be conducted before June 30 to be included in this season’s accounts.
Mason Mount could be one of the high-profile departures from Stamford Bridge after contract talks stalled with the England midfielder. Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been credited with an interest in the 24-year-old, who will enter the final 12 months of his deal this summer.
Conor Gallagher, Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Pulisic could all earn Chelsea significant fees, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are also among the first-team names expected to depart.
