Having already confirmed the signing of Hakim Ziyech, Chelsea may yet return to Ajax for another raid this summer.
The Dutch giants have already accepted they will lose more of their most talented players in the coming months, including Andre Onana, Nicolas Tagliafico and Donny van de Beek.
Ziyech is already on his way to Chelsea this summer
“Based on their performance and ambition, a number of our players also want to make the move abroad,” manager Eric ten Hag told Het Parool.
“Agreements have been made with Andre Onana, Donny van de Beek and Nicolas Tagliafico, but it remains to be seen whether the market is indeed breaking loose.
“For Onana and Van de Beek, another year of Ajax could certainly be an option, for Tagliafico it is slightly different because of his age.
In the preparation I am going to try Lisandro Martínez in that position. He has also played in midfield with us, but he is a defender.
Tagliafico impressed during Ajax’s Champions League run to the semi finals last season
Two of the aforementioned trio have been heavily linked with Chelsea, who look set to be totally transformed next season.
Ziyech will arrive alongside RB Leipzig star Timo Werner to bolster the Blues attack – and now Frank Lampard will surely look towards strengthening at the back.
It is understood Tagliafico could represent a cheaper alternative to Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, with the Foxes expected to demand £80million.
Danny Murphy believes Chelsea can challenge for the Premier League title next season IF they sign a ‘world class’ centre-back
Tagliafico, the 27-year-old Argentine, would cost only a fraction of that at around £22m.
“We have agreed with Ajax that he would leave this year, said Tagliafico’s agent Ricardo Schlieper.
After having spent two-and-a-half seasons at the club, its the ideal moment for it.
“If football goes back to being normal, a transfer could be done for Tagliafico.”
Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana is attracting interest from Chelsea
Meanwhile, a move for highly-rated goalkeeper Onana has been mooted amid the questionable form of Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea have a good relationship with Ajax after agreeing the deal for Ziyech, and with the Dutch club openly admitting Onana and Tagliafico can leave, it would be no surprise if they both ended up at Stamford Bridge.
Here’s how Chelsea could look next season if they do, indeed, raid the Dutch champions.