Chelsea's preparations for next season are already in full swing, despite the Blues still having at least one more match of the 2019-20 campaign to play.
Frank Lampard's side fell to a 2-1 loss to Arsenal in Sunday's FA Cup final and trail Bayern Munich 3-0 on aggregate ahead of next Saturday's Champions League last-16 second leg.
No wonder that Lampard is eager to further strengthen his squad, then, with the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner already in the bag.
Monday morning's Chelsea transfer talk news roundup:
Chelsea 'must sell defenders to sign Declan Rice, Jose Gimenez'
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Declan Rice and Jose Gimenez are rumoured to have been eyed up by Lampard, but he must first sell one of his central defenders before being able to pursue a deal.
That is according to The Telegraph, who report that club officials are under pressure to find a buyer for the likes of Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma.
West Ham United's Rice and Atletico Madrid centre-back Gimenez will likely cost well in excess of £60m each.
The same report indicates that signing a player who can play in the middle and at left-back remains an option, providing that Emerson Palmieri is moved on during the summer window.
Chelsea 'stepping up Nick Pope pursuit'
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A new goalkeeper is surely a top priority for Lampard after dropping Kepa Arrizabalaga for Chelsea's final two games of the domestic campaign, including the FA Cup final.
Kepa arrived at Stamford Bridge as the world's most expensive keeper in 2018 but has failed to make a positive impact in his two years in West London.
According to the Daily Star, Chelsea are prepared to step up their efforts to secure a deal for Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope.
Lampard is supposedly happy to prioritise a pursuit of Pope after the England international's superb campaign at Turf Moor, though he could cost in the region of £50m.
Daniel Lewis
