Chelsea set strict Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho transfer deadline for Crystal Palace

Chelsea are in a race against time to sign Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho before the opening weekend of the new Premier League season. The transfer window doesn't shut until September 1, but Enzo Maresca will want the lion's share of business wrapped up before the Blues face Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have already forked out almost £250m on players this summer, yet they've shown no sign of slowing down. Simons and Garnacho continue to be heavily linked with moves to west London, as Maresca looks to bolster his attacking options.

football.london understands there's still an expectation and confidence that Chelsea will eventually sign the RB Leipzig playmaker. The Blues have remained in contact with the Bundesliga outfit, with talks ongoing.

It's understood that Chelsea are also working on a deal to sign the Manchester United winger, but they're reluctant to pay more than £30m. Garnacho, who has attracted plenty of interest this summer, has made it clear that he wishes to join the west London outfit.

football.london understands that the Red Devils value the Argentina international at £50m, but the Blues are hoping to land a bargain given the situation at Old Trafford. Garnacho fell out of favour with Ruben Amorim at the end of last season, weakening United's hand in negotiations.

As it stands, it remains to be seen whether or not Chelsea will sign either of the two forwards this summer. That said, if Maresca wants Simons or Garnacho in his squad for the Crystal Palace clash, then the Blues will have to get a move on.

Page 275 of the Premier League rules handbook states that a player must be registered by midday on the last working day before the date of the first match in which the club making the application intends him to play. So, with the Blues taking on Oliver Glasner's side on Sunday afternoon, Simons or Garnacho would have to be registered by 12 noon on Friday to be eligible for the clash.

The deadline for Liverpool and Bournemouth, however, was midday on Thursday before they lock horns at Anfield on Friday night. Of course, Premier League clubs will still have the chance to sign players beyond this weekend, with the transfer window not set to shut until September 1.

Speaking to club media ahead of Sunday's match, Reece James previewed the season. The Chelsea captain said: "This season we are going to be ambitious. We’re in a good position. We want to compete at the highest level and win the competitions we’re in.

"We’re preparing the best we can. It’s early days, we’ve only had a few days with the new players so far, but they’re great additions to the squad. We have good depth this year, and we hope to go close."

On the Champions League campaign, James added: "I wouldn’t say it’s an extra step – it’s where the club is meant to be. The last few years we haven’t been there, but it’s nothing we’re not used to. We’ll be playing against top teams, but we are one of the best as well.

"The club is for sure moving in the right direction. The two seasons before we didn’t qualify for the Champions League and we didn’t win any trophies. Now we have qualified, and we’ve won two trophies. The trend is upwards, and we want to keep that going."

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