Chelsea are reportedly keen to sign both Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel could be handed in the region of £150m to improve the squad this summer, with the German keen to improve his attack, as Romelu Lukaku is heading back to Inter Milan on loan.
According to the Daily Mail, new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will be in charge of transfer negotiations in the current market, and Dembele and Sterling have been identified as priority targets.
Dembele's contract at Barcelona is due to expire at the end of the month, and he will become a free agent unless the Catalan giants manage to convince him to pen a new deal over the next few days.
Sterling, meanwhile, is believed to be keen to seek pastures new this summer, having struggled to secure regular starts in the latter stages of last season.
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Barcelona boss Xavi is said to be desperate for Dembele to remain at Camp Nou, but the club, who still have financial problems, are struggling to meet his wage demands.
Chelsea are allegedly prepared to offer the France international a deal worth in excess of £200,000 a week over the course of four years, in addition to handing him a large signing-on fee.
However, a recent report claimed that the World Cup winner, who played under Tuchel at Borussia Dortmund, wants to be assured of a key role for the team before agreeing to make the move to Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old again struggled with injury problems during the 2021-22 campaign but contributed two goals and 13 assists in 32 appearances during a relatively productive season.
Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United have also been strongly linked with a move, but Chelsea are believed to be in the driving seat if he decides to leave Barcelona on a free.
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Sterling, meanwhile, is also said to be the subject of firm interest from Chelsea, with the Blues already said to have had an offer turned down for the England international.
The 27-year-old made 47 appearances in all competitions for the Citizens last term, contributing 17 goals and nine assists in the process.
The attacker only has one year left to run on his contract at Etihad Stadium, though, and he was not a regular starter in the latter stages of last season, which is believed to have led to frustration.
Sterling has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups during his time at Man City, and his winning mentality is thought to make him an even more appealing signing for Chelsea.
Barcelona, AC Milan and Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest, though, and the Premier League champions are believed to be looking for a fee in excess of £50m for the former Queens Park Rangers youngster.
Matt Law
