Chelsea Transfer Buzz: Vinicius Jr Update, Gusto Green Light, and Derry Loan Moves

Chelsea are at the center of a whirlwind of transfer activity, with developments ranging from a potential blockbuster move for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior to a loan deal for teenage prospect Jesse Derry. Vinicius Junior’s camp has reportedly been in touch with several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, as contract talks with Real Madrid stall. The Brazil international is said to be demanding a weekly wage of £500,000 — a figure Los Blancos are not prepared to meet. With his current deal expiring in 2027 and no extension in sight, the 25-year-old has signaled his willingness to move to England. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United are also monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, Manchester City have received the ‘green light’ to sign Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto this summer. New City boss Enzo Maresca, who previously worked with Gusto at Stamford Bridge, has made the Frenchman his primary target. Chelsea are open to selling Gusto but are holding out for a fee of €88 million (£75m). City are currently unwilling to match that valuation, though discussions between the player’s representatives and City officials have already taken place. Gusto is expected to decide his future after the 2026 World Cup. Chelsea’s teenage sensation Jesse Derry was mobbed by fans and media at Lisbon airport on Thursday as he arrived to complete his loan move to Sporting CP. The 19-year-old England U19 international recently signed a new six-year contract with the Blues and will spend the 2026-27 season in Portugal to gain first-team experience. The loan agreement is fully in place, and Derry will become the first player to join Sporting directly from Chelsea once the deal is officially announced. Defender Trevoh Chalobah is pushing for a move to Inter Milan this summer. The 27-year-old rejected a swap deal that would have sent him to Crystal Palace in exchange for Maxence Lacroix, as he has no desire to return to Selhurst Park. According to reports from Italy, Chalobah has set his sights solely on Inter, but the Serie A club has yet to meet Chelsea’s €40m asking price. Finally, Chelsea attempted to hijack Morten Hjulmand’s transfer from Sporting CP to Atletico Madrid at the last minute. The Blues offered the Denmark international a more lucrative contract, but Hjulmand had already agreed a five-year deal with Atleti. The failed swoop underlines new manager Xabi Alonso’s determination to bring in an experienced midfield leader, having previously targeted Granit Xhaka at Sunderland.