Blues stars dig in heels over moves to balance the books

CHELSEA’S home-grown stars will not be rushed into finding new clubs if the Blues need to sell them to raise quick cash this summer.

Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Ian Maatsen and Armando Broja could all be sold to ensure the Blues avoid the threat of financial breaches.

Chelsea reportedly need to raise £100million in player sales by June 30, so they can be included in financial accounts for 2023-24.

The Blues insist they continue to stay in line with Premier League profit and sustainability rules (PSR), but sales would help them fund further signings after spending more than £1billion since being taken over by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Academy players represent pure profit on the balance sheet, and many young players in the squad fear they will be sold. But it is understood Gallagher, Chalobah, Maatsen and Broja have insisted they will wait for the right opportunity.

Gallagher is believed to be valued at £45m-£50m. Tottenham tried to sign him last summer and the midfielder will have just one season left on his contract this summer. He would want to move to a top-level Premier League club.

Dortmund and Bayern Munich are interested in signing Maatsen, who has a £35m release clause.

Chalobah will also target a move to a top English or European club, while Broja will similarly aim high for his next move.

Premier League clubs have agreed to introduce new financial controls in time for the 2025-26 season. New “squad cost controls” will set an 85 per cent limit on how much annual revenue can be spent on player costs, including transfer fees, wages and agents’ fees. But PSR rules, which monitor finances over a three-year period, will continue to operate next season.