Chelsea Transfer News Today: Three deals imminent as Diogo Costa truth emerges

25 Jul 2026 20:01 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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All the latest Chelsea transfer news in one place, including updates on Diogo Costa, Maxence Lacroix and Kerim Alajbegovic.

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Chelsea could tempt Costa

Chelsea are among the select few clubs that could tempt Diogo Costa to leave Porto, according to journalist Pedro Sousa.

The Portugal international has been linked with the Blues in recent weeks, though little has so far come of it. Chelsea are looking at the goalkeeper market, but it is believed that they are looking for a backup to replace Filip Jorgensen, not a guaranteed starter.

Costa feels a strong connection to Porto and is in no rush to leave the club. It would take a special project, rather than a large financial offer, to get him to consider a move.

"Diogo Costa would not leave Porto for Nottingham Forest, for example. Diogo Costa would leave Porto for Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid… Or Paris Saint-Germain, Milan, Inter, you know?"

Lacroix arrives - but there are doubts

Chelsea icon Marcel Desailly has expressed doubts over the club's imminent signing of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

The France international is set to join in a €60 million deal after being strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge during the World Cup. Lacroix is a solid recruit for Chelsea, but not a game-changer, according to Desailly.

"Is he what Chelsea really needs? I actually think they need a centre-back with more experience, a player that is already established and can come in and lead the defence," Desailly said. "We need a real experienced leader at the heart of the defence.

Alajbegovic deal could happen quickly

Chelsea could strike a deal with Bayer Leverkusen for Kerim Alajbegovic before the end of the weekend, BILD claims.

The Blues have accelerated their pursuit of the 18-year-old winger and are in discussions over a fee. It is believed that Chelsea want to pay less than the €40m fee that has been touted.

Alajbegovic is set to report for pre-season on Monday after his three-week post-World Cup break, but the deal could advance so swiftly that he could actually be on his way to London rather than Leverkusen next week.

Chalobah talks ramped up

Chelsea and Como engaged in fresh discussions over a deal for Trevoh Chalobah on Saturday, as per Gianluca di Marzio.

A meeting was held in a bid to thrash out a deal after Como made a formal bid worth around €25m plus €5m in bonuses on Friday, which is believed to have fallen short of Chelsea's asking price.

Ben Jacobs reports that the Blues want at least €35m guaranteed and a further €6m in bonuses, though whether Como are willing to go that high remains to be seen after being forced to shell out most of their budget on Nico Paz.