Chelsea has set a strict deadline to sign Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho before their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on August 17, 2025. The Blues are prioritizing the arrivals of these two players, with negotiations reportedly at an advanced stage.

Transfer Targets

– Xavi Simons: Chelsea is in talks to sign Simons from RB Leipzig, with discussions ongoing for some time. The club is eager to finalize the deal before the transfer window closes.
– Alejandro Garnacho’s Transfer: Chelsea is also keen on signing Garnacho from Manchester United, with personal terms agreed in principle. However, the club needs to sell some players before formalizing these signings.

Deadline and Challenges

– Strict Deadline: Chelsea has set a deadline to sign both players before the Premier League opener, which poses a challenge given the complexity of transfer deals.
– Player Sales: To accommodate the arrivals of Simons and Garnacho, Chelsea plans to sell several players, including Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, and Ben Chilwell, before the September 1 deadline.

Implications for Crystal Palace

The upcoming match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace on August 17, 2025, will be crucial, with Chelsea looking to make a strong statement after a potentially busy transfer window. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, will aim to cause an upset against a team with significant changes ¹.