Chelsea could see three stars leave as surprise £60m Prem rival eyed

Another day, another big-money transfer target emerges for Chelsea. The club have sealed the signing of £60million forward Joao Pedro from Brighton, but they're not done there and the Blues are reportedly interested in West Ham talisman Mohamed Kudus.

Few will doubt that the Ghanaian will add quality and depth to a squad now being primed for a tilt at the Champions League. However, many more will query where the 24-year-old will find room to change amid a squad that for three years has signified a revolving door of new arrivals. For all the riches the club are currently earning from the Club World Cup, sanctioning sales will soon become every bit as critical as signing new stars.

Express Sport looks at three candidates who could be moved on from west London this summer...

Raheem Sterling

If the loan move to Arsenal was designed to put Raheem Sterling in the shop window this summer, it arguably backfired. As opposed to flying at the Emirates, the 30-year-old floundered to the point, and there was minimal chance of a permanent switch across London this summer.

However, his Premier League record and desire to return to the England fold mean he remains a more than useful proposition for clubs in England and abroad. The Blues ' inevitable loss on the £47.5m they paid Manchester City will be counteracted by the money saved from his £215,000-a-week wages.

Christopher Nkunku

Hailed as a statement signing when he arrived from RB Leipzig for £52million in June 2023, Nkunku and Chelsea has proved a strange marriage. Confined mostly to Europa Conference League starts, and deployed out wide as opposed to his favoured No.9 role, it's time for both parties to cut the cord.

Manchester United are reportedly one of several clubs chasing the 27-year-old. Exploiting their rivals' desperation for firepower would offset the fee for Kudus and also suit all parties.

Noni Madueke

He started the season with a hat-trick at Wolves. However, by Christmas, Maresca had dropped him and publicly warned him to "work more," and his future at Stamford Bridge has been in doubt ever since.

At 23 and with five years left on his contract, Chelsea can afford to charge a high price for the England international. It may be counterproductive to sell to Arsenal, who have been linked with a move, but there should be no shortage of potential buyers if he's officially transfer-listed.