Huge Caicedo boost
Chelsea's transfer pursuit of Moises Caicedo is now firmly in their own hands. The Blues had always been seen as the frontrunners to acquire his services this summer, but there was always concern that Arsenal and Liverpool would formally enter the race after identifying Caicedo as a potential option in their own mini-midfield rebuilds.
A major boost has since come to light for Chelsea with Caicedo himself committing to the move, and any remaining doubt over the Blues' chances of signing him now looks to have dissipated. According to The Telegraph , reports suggesting Liverpool are going to make a move for the 21-year-old are considered wide of the mark with many believing at the club, talks with Chelsea are far too advanced to potentially hijack the transfer.
Alongside this, The Athletic have also claimed that Caicedo was seen as an irretrievable back-up option to Rice and that because Chelsea had done so much groundwork ahead of the summer window, a transfer to Chelsea was virtually wrapped up.
Vlahovic agreement
Dusan Vlahovic is expected to depart Juventus this summer amid interest from numerous suitors in acquiring his services. Arsenal and Chelsea have previously showed an interested in the 23-year-old, but appear currently focused on other positions, although the Blues' recent goal-scoring woes would indicate the need for another addition in attack on top of signing Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson.
However, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are not actively interested in Vlahovic this summer. PSG are now seen as the only team with a serious interest and the Parisians may have just gotten a step closer to signing the striker with an agreement in principle in place between the two parties , as per RMC journalist Fabrice Hawkins.
Chelsea may well be out of the race for Vlahovic, but they could be keeping a very close eye on PSG's movements. That is because Vlahovic sealing a departure will result in Juventus submitting their €40million (£35.2million) proposal to sign Romelu Lukaku.
Cherki plan
Chelsea look set to accelerate their transfer interest in Lyon star Rayan Cherki in the coming days with Mauricio Pochettino setting a two-part plan. Over the last week, significant progress has been made after Chelsea made contact with Cherki's representatives to discuss a transfer, as football.london understands.
Negotiations are now also taking place specifically between Chelsea and Lyon, with Cherki open to a Stamford Bridge move. However, the French club will not make the move easy to complete for Chelsea with their asking price set at €50million (£42.7million), though Chelsea feel a deal could be done for closer to €40million (£34.4million).
With Chelsea's own valuation known, the Blues have set a clear timeline of what they hope to accomplish in their pursuit of Cherki over the coming days. According to journalist Simon Phillips , sending off a contract offer for Cherki to agree personal terms is imminent and once that is sorted, Chelsea will then follow that up by lodging an official bid.