Werner exit gathers pace with Chelsea to axe three in quick succession, as final Slonina transfer details emerge

Talks to take Timo Werner back to Germany are running at ‘full speed’, while two further exits Chelsea are working on and the finer points of their Gabriel Slonina coup have been detailed.

Stamford Bridge looks the place to watch in the final month of the transfer window. Chelsea have signed just two first-teamers thus far, though they are of an incredibly high standard in the form of Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling.

Yet more additions are expected, especially on the defensive end. Indeed, Marc Cucurella recently agreed personal terms, forcing Man City to shift their sights to a lively Premier League alternative instead.

Wesley Fofana and Josko Gvardiol remain targets at centre-half and it is the latter that could have a bearing on the future of Timo Werner.

Sky Sports report RB Leipzig are in talks with Chelsea over the return of Werner. Their report cites information from Sky Germany who have indicated the pace of negotiations is ‘full speed’.

‘All possibilities’ are being explored by Leipzig including the loan and permanent routes. The Bundesliga side are deemed ‘increasingly confident’ Werner will once again be a Leipzig player before the window concludes.

Fabrizio Romano recently tweeted new Blues owner, Todd Boehly, is willing to let Werner leave. However, Sky’s report states Thomas Tuchel isn’t as keen.

Indeed, the German boss is reportedly unwilling to let the forward leave. A point of contention may be brewing in that regard.

Juventus are also in the mix for Werner, though it is Leipzig who are the frontrunner at present. And what may aid their cause further is Chelsea’s interest in Josko Gvardiol.

The 20-year-old left-footer would be the ideal replacement for Antonio Rudiger in Tuchel’s back three. Romano previously tweeted Werner could be included in a swap deal as a makeweight to sign the talented Croatian who is valued around the £75m-£80m mark.

Two more exits besides Werner

Aside from Werner, Chelsea are also working in the exits of Malang Sarr and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Athletic reported Fulham have tabled both a loan and permanent bid to sign centre-back Sarr. However, per Romano, the 23-year-old is now ‘in talks’ with unspecified Ligue 1 clubs.

Sky claimed Sarr would not be let go until a new centre-back other than Koulibaly is signed. The latest development would suggest progress is being made on that front if a Sarr exit is now ramping up.

Elsewhere, Romano backed up Sky Italia’s report claiming Kepa could join Napoli on loan.

Sky claimed Chelsea were willing to subsidise three quarters of the Spaniard’s salary to grease the deal’s wheels.

Romano added a meeting has been scheduled for today (Tuesday) to thrash out the details of a loan move.

Gabriel Slonina transfer detailed

With Kepa on the way out, Chelsea fans may be expecting to see Gabriel Slonina installed as chief back-up to Edouard Mendy.

The American wonderkid, 18, is on the cusp of joining the Blues from Chicago Fire for around £12.3m (including add-ons). However, per Romano, Slonina will be immediately loaned back to the MLS side to continue his development Stateside.

Slonina will sign a six-year deal running until 2028 and passed a medical on Monday. Romano gave the deal his signature ‘here we go’ confirmation.

Slonina set two records last August when becoming the youngest player to both start an MLS match and keep a clean sheet in the American top flight.

He has already drawn comparisons with Gianluigi Buffon and could represent a serious coup if his rapid rise continues unabated.