Crystal Palace are reportedly closing in on a deal that could hand a major transfer boost to Chelsea. The Blues are yet to reach agreements on any signings ahead of the summer transfer window which opens next month.
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Chelsea are in the process of appointing a new manager to replace Mauricio Pochettino, with Enzo Maresca expected to be named as the club's new boss. Despite the Blues not yet having a new manager in place, the club are still being linked with several potential new signings.
And it seems that Palace may be moving a step closer to making their first new addition of the summer. It's being widely reported that the Eagles are closing in on the signing of Daichi Kamada on a free transfer, with a deal close to being agreed.
Kamada's contract with Lazio is set to expire at the end of next month, at which point Palace are reportedly expected to sign the playmaker as a free agent. The deal would see Kamada reunite with Oliver Glasner, who was his manager during his time at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Kamada is an attacking midfielder who is capable of performing in a host of roles to support the forward players. With Palace signing Kamada, it could be a hint over the future of two players who have been linked with Chelsea.
Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have both been linked with moves to Chelsea ahead of the summer transfer window. BBC Sport reported in April that Palace had set £60 million asking prices on each player, while it was reported by The Mirror that Chelsea are set to move to sign Olise this summer.
Palace signing Kamada could be a sign of the club preparing for the exit of one, if not both, of Olise and Eze. It remains to be seen if Chelsea will pursue a deal for either player, especially with the £60 million asking prices and being mindful of complying with Financial Fair Play (FFP) and Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Chelsea ended the 2023/24 Premier League season on a high, but it is never quiet at Stamford Bridge and the summer looks set to be one full of news, with question marks over Mauricio Pochettino's future at the club and plenty of talk around transfers.