Chelsea Summer Transfer Window Update: Wednesday's Updates

Although most people are, understandably, focused on this summer's FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 summer transfer window is really beginning to heat up for Chelsea. 

Earlier on today, we got the "Here We Go" for the Blues to sign Italian right-wing back Marco Palestra from Serie A side Atalanta, despite seemingly only entering the race last night, getting in ahead of Inter Milan, much to the frustration of the Italian giants.

So, what are the other updates to provide from Wednesday? Let's take a look. 

According to a number of sources in the media, including Bobby Vincent of Mirror Sport, there are big clubs interested in Malo Gusto, with the club valuing him at £75m. Meanwhile, Nizaar Kinsella of the BBC reports that the player himself is "exploring his options" away from SW6. 

This is consistent with Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail reporting that Gusto would be interested in reuniting with Enzo Maresca at Manchester City, with Gill also stating that top sides in Europe are also interested. 

Meanwhile, Swedish journalist Anel Avdic is reporting that the Blues have Leeds United left back Gabriel Gudmundsson on their radar as one of their options to replace Marc Cucurella this summer. 

To finish off, Mario Cortegana of The Athletic is reporting that Enzo Fernandez is the preferred choice of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. Just want that saga to be over at this point to be completely honest with you.

Now, this is interesting. Although not exclusively a wing-back - he has played in a back four before - he did mostly play in a three/five at the back set up as the left-wing back last season, and until proven otherwise, we can assume it is body of work at Leeds that has the club interested in signing him.

So, when you consider that Palestra played as a right-wing back for Cagliari (on loan from Atalanta) last season, these are the biggest indications yet that Xabi Alonso will use the 343 (or similar) formation that he was so successful with during his time at Bayer Leverkusen. 

Especially when Maxence Lacroix - similar to Gudmundsson in the sense that he has played in a four, but his best body of work is in a three - also continues to be linked this summer. Certainly worth keeping an eye on further defensive links over the coming weeks and months.