Raheem Sterling swap deal as £85m arrival confirmed – Chelsea's dream final transfer week

Chelsea have been among the busiest clubs in Europe when it comes to transfer activity this summer, but there is still work to do before the August 30 deadline. Enzo Maresca’s squad is bloated, and the Blues must attempt to offload more of their many fringe players while they still can.

Romelu Lukaku is reportedly set to leave for Napoli after the Serie A giants struck a £38million agreement on Friday.

Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is among the high-profile names who also face uncertain futures after Chelsea’s opening two matches of the season.

However, there could be further incomings at Stamford Bridge during the upcoming week after Joao Felix’s £46m return saw Maresca’s summer spending breach the £200m mark.

The 24-year-old forward was the 10th arrival of the window, while Conor Gallagher became the eighth departure as he joined Atletico Madrid in the opposite direction.

More movement – incoming and outgoing – is expected, and Express Sport explores two transfers that would make up a dream finale for Chelsea.

Raheem Sterling swap

Sterling appears destined to walk away from Stamford Bridge before the deadline after being exiled from Maresca’s squad.

An exclusion in the Premier League opener against Manchester City was followed up by new £54m signing Pedro Neto being handed his No. 7 shirt.

With the clock ticking, there aren’t many obvious escape routes for Sterling. Stranger things have happened than a potential move to Manchester United…

Here us out. According to The Athletic, there is a belief at United that Chelsea could emerge as late contenders to sign Jadon Sancho, who wants to depart before the deadline.

The Blues could at least explore whether Old Trafford is a viable solution to not only offload Sterling but replace him with another young attacking option.

Victor Osimhen arrives

Lukaku’s £38m move to Napoli could open the door for Chelsea to make Victor Osimhen the final blockbuster arrival of their summer window.

The 25-year-old was expected to have left Naples by now, but he remains in the shop window with less than a week left. Lukaku’s arrival will push him closer to a departure.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with Osimhen, who is thought to be available for a fee in the region of £85m.

The west Londoners could very well have discussed a swoop during talks for Lukaku, but they may require further sales before launching a concrete approach.

That said, Felix’s return, which wasn’t on the cards until Atletico needed funds to secure the signing of Gallagher, may have at least stalled Chelsea’s interest.