Chelsea slap €40.5m price tag on World Cup defender as other sale is ruled out

Updated: 28 Jun 2026 09:44 BST | 5 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Chelsea will only allow Trevoh Chalobah to leave this summer if they receive a proposal worth €40.5million (£35m), according to the Daily Mail.

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Chalobah is one of the few Blues players who can hold his head up high after impressing in an otherwise disappointing 2025-26 season for the club.

The 26-year-old academy graduate was a key fixture in the Chelsea backline last season, making 47 appearances and scoring three goals.

STATS

Trevoh Chalobah

D (C)

Chelsea

Trevoh Chalobah

D (C)

Chelsea

47

Games
3

Goals
0

Assists

However, Chalobah - who is currently away with England at the World Cup - is the subject of strong interest from Serie A side Como.

The Mail understands Como, who are managed by former Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas, have failed with a €25.4m (£22m) offer for Chalobah.

The same publication claims talks are set to continue between the two clubs, with Chelsea holding out for €34.7m (£30m) plus €5.8m (£5m) in add-ons.

It remains to be seen whether Como, who will play Champions League football next season after finishing fourth in Serie A in 2025-26, will match Chelsea’s valuation of Chalobah, with the Mail claiming other clubs are interested in his services.

Chelsea need to offload central defenders this summer

The Mail understands Chelsea want to freshen up their centre-back options this summer but need to offload players who are already on the books.

Chelsea currently have Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Aaron Anselmino, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr and Josh Acheampong within their ranks.

The Mail understands Acheampong is one name who will not be sold, with the Stamford Bridge club viewing the 20-year-old - who can also operate at right-back - as a centre-back for the 2026-27 season.

A separate report from French publication L’Equipe understands Chelsea are keen to sign Crystal Palace and France defender Maxence Lacroix, who is reportedly valued at €55m (£47.4m).

Chelsea meanwhile are close to signing highly-rated Italy wing-back Marco Palestra after a fee in excess of €50m (£43m) was agreed with Serie A outfit Atalanta, according to BBC Sport.

STATS

Marco Palestra

D, M (R)

Cagliari

Marco Palestra

D, M (R)

Cagliari

37

Games
1

Goals
4

Assists

The same publication also understands Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is keen to reunite with Granit Xhaka, who he managed at Bayer Leverkusen, but Sunderland are insisting their star man is not for sale.

Chelsea want to add leadership amid Xhaka pursuit

Widespread reports understand Chelsea’s interest in Xhaka stems from Alonso’s desire to add leadership to a youthful side who received an incredible 11 red cards in all competitions last season.

Chelsea have operated a strict transfer policy targeting young, promising players since BlueCo leaders Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali took ownership of the club in May 2022.

However, following the sackings of Maresca and Liam Rosenior last season, as well as Chelsea’s 10th-place finish in the Premier League, Eghbali admitted changes need to be made to the club’s recruitment strategy.

In quotes carried by BBC Sport, Eghbali said in April: “I think we've done a few things right, a lot of things right. We've got to be better on a few things, to add more ready-made players at this part of the project, to take (it) to the next level, to be consistent over time. We recognise we need balance. You tweak a model, you improve, you learn from mistakes.”

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Read more about: Serie A Premier League Atalanta Bayer 04 C. Palace Chelsea Como Sunderland Axel Disasi Benoit Badiashile Granit Xhaka Josh Acheampong Levi Colwill Mamadou Sarr Marco Palestra Maxence Lacroix Tosin Adarabioyo Trevoh Chalobah Wesley Fofana