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Some supporters are beginning to get a bit impatient with Chelsea's ongoing pursuits of Xavi Simons and Jorrel Hato.
Blues fans are used to seeing their club act swiftly and decisively in transfer scenarios, but these two are taking perhaps a bit longer than usual. However, there remains a confidence that both deals will be completed in the near future.
Chelsea are preparing an opening offer to RB Leipzig for Simons after productive talks in recent days, football.london understands. The Blues opened talks with the 22-year-old's representatives around nine days ago, with 'super agent' Ali Barat involved in negotiations.
A broad agreement on personal terms were agreed, with Simons making it perfectly clear of his desire to move to Stamford Bridge.
Direct club-to-club talks then followed between Chelsea and Leipzig and they have been described as positive, with the German club willing to sell Simons for a suitable price. Sources have told football.london repeatedly that there is a genuine confidence a deal will eventually be reached and Simons will become a Chelsea player this summer.
Likewise, the west Londoners are confident they can strike a deal to sign Hato from Ajax. This deal is more advanced than the Simons one at the time of writing. Sources have confirmed Chelsea are edging ever closer to agreeing a deal with Ajax for the 19-year-old defender, who has already sorted out personal terms with the Blues over a long-term contract in SW6.
As reported last week, Chelsea are in advanced talks with Ajax as the Blues seek cover for left-back with Marc Cucurella forced to play more than 5,000 minutes for club and country last season. Hato will also provide an option in the centre of defence for Enzo Maresca.
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Chelsea will be hoping to get the Hato deal over the line as quickly as possible, with Blues players set to report to pre-season training on Monday after having a later break than others due to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Joao Felix's move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr was confirmed on Tuesday with Chelsea set to bank €50million (£43.7million) in total - once add-ons are taken into account - for the 25-year-old. Felix leaves Stamford Bridge less than 12 months after returning to the club for his second spell, with the Blues more or less recouping the £45million fee they paid Atletico Madrid in August 2024.
That will soon become £50million for the club's latest two sales with Ishe Samuels-Smith on his way to Strasbourg on a permanent deal. The 19-year-old defender will remain loosely on Chelsea's books due to BlueCo's ownership of Strasbourg and has signed a five-year contract at Stade de la Meinau, football.london understands.
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