Chelsea have pulled off a dramatic late move with very little clues in the build-up, with BlueCo’s latest transfer deal seemingly coming out of nowhere.

Enzo Maresca’s side, once again, have been one of the Premier League’s busiest clubs in terms of incomings and outgoings. The west Londoners have shaken hands on 23 transfers in total, including exit deals and pre-agreed transfers prior to this summer, but that number doesn’t even factor in their various loan deals for the likes of Aaron Anselmino and Marc Guiu.

Joao Pedro

Noni Madueke

Jamie Gittens

João Félix

Jorrel Hato

Djordje Petrovic

Liam Delap

Lesley Ugochukwu

Dario Essugo

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Mamadou Sarr

Renato Veiga

Estevao

Armando Broja

Kendry Paez

Carney Chukwuemeka

Alejandro Garnacho

Mathis Amougou

Basir Humphreys

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Marcus Bettinelli

Christopher Nkunku

Alfie Gilchrist

Lucas Bergstrom

This number also includes their latest new arrival, winger Alejandro Garnacho in a £40 million deal from Man United, as Chelsea finally reached an agreement after weeks of talks with the Red Devils.

The Argentine bagged 11 goals and 10 assists in all competitions last term, with Garancho arriving at Chelsea after the club completed extensive background checks on his character/personality (Matt Law), not to mention an eight-year scouting mission.

“He’s actually been a Chelsea ‘target’ for many years and the club scouts have had him on the radar since he was in the youth setup at Atlético Madrid,” wrote journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack.

“Chelsea scouts have been racking up the data on him ever since and had passed all his info onto the new directors when they came in.

“Chelsea scouts rate the player a lot and have been watching him for nearly 8 years.”

While their deal for Garnacho had been meticulously planned and thought out, the same cannot be said for Brighton starlet Facundo Bounanotte.

We’ve heard precious little about any prior interest from Chelsea in the 20-year-old, but Maresca has now added to his contingent of former Brighton players with a temporary deal for him.

Chelsea agree deal to sign Facundo Bounanotte on loan from Brighton

As per Fabrizio Romano and other reliable media sources, Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Bounanotte on loan, hijacking Leeds United’s long-awaited deal for him in the process.

This also comes after Tottenham hijacked Chelsea’s move for Xavi Simons, with Bounanotte potentially coming as an alternative to the Dutchman.

Whilst not of the same calibre, past praise for the player should have supporters fairly intrigued – as Bounanotte has been likened to footballing icon Lionel Messi.

“I watch football and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone play who gives me as much pleasure as Buonanotte,” said former Man City and Man United striker Carlos Tevez to talkSPORT.

“When he brakes and accelerates, he reminds me of [Lionel] Messi. He is at a very high level.”