Chelsea transfer u-turn: 'Untouchable' star could leave amid Alonso overhaul

Updated: 4 Aug 2026 12:03 BST | 3 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

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Chelsea are prepared to let Josh Acheampong leave on loan as Xabi Alonso continues to overhaul his defensive options, according to BBC Sport.

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Alonso has confirmed he only wants “four or five” centre-backs at his disposal, meaning several defenders are set to leave this summer.

The Blues currently have nine senior centre-halves on the books including new signing Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana.

© IMAGO - Levi Colwill (left) and Wesley Fofana (right)

Benoit Badiashile, Aaron Anselmino, Axel Disasi and Mamadou Sarr make up the rest of the list, though Trevoh Chalobah is set to join Serie A side Como.

Chalobah is expected to sign a long-term contract with Cesc Fabregas’ side after they agreed a deal worth more than €35million (£30m) with Chelsea, per various sources.

Another defender who could be about to leave Chelsea is highly-rated academy graduate Acheampong.

BBC Sport understands the west London club could send the 20-year-old out on loan in order to further his development.

The news comes after the Daily Mail reported last month that Acheampong was viewed as an “untouchable” by the Chelsea hierarchy.

The Mail claimed the England Under-21 international was set to stay and fight for his place this season, despite receiving interest elsewhere.

Acheampong made his Premier League debut as a teenager

After emerging through Chelsea’s youth system, Acheampong made his debut as a 17-year-old against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League in May 2024.

He has since gone on to make a further 43 appearances for the six-time league champions, scoring two goals.

Primarily a centre-back, Acheampong also featured as a right-back at times last season as Chelsea finished 10th in the league and reached the FA Cup final.

Chelsea have overseen a busy period of transfer activity after announcing the signings of Danny Welbeck, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson this past week.

The three players have joined Lacroix, Morgan Rogers and Marco Palestra in becoming Alonso’s first signings ahead of his first season at the helm.

Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner and Dastan Satpaev have also joined Chelsea on deals that were negotiated before Alonso’s appointment.

Alonso’s charges are currently in Hong Kong as part of their pre-season campaign, with a clash against Juventus to come on Wednesday at the Kai Tak Stadium.