Chelsea are a title contender if they sign Frenkie de Jong, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Wesley Fofana this summer.
That’s the view from talkSPORT’s Darren Bent amid reports linking the Blues to the three players.
The West Londoners look set to hijack Manchester United’s pursuit of De Jong, however, the Dutchman’s deferred wages at Camp Nou are still an issue.
Meanwhile, De Jong’s Barca team-mate could reunite with former Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
And Leicester defender Wesley Fofana has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, who are lining up a record-breaking £85m third bid for the 21-year-old centre-back.
If they manage to complete those three games before the deadline, Chelsea will have a big enough squad to launch a serious assault on Manchester City and Liverpool, Bent believes.
“If they get those three, they’re definitely in the hunt for the title,” Bent said on Drive. “They have to be…look at their team after that.
“They will have solved the problem of having a goalscorer. Aubameyang’s attitude was questioned, but when he came to Arsenal he scored ten goals in his first 14 games. At Barcelona he scored 11 goals in 17 appearances.
“It’s just become a bit stale for him, maybe he hasn’t started to adapt to the way Arteta wanted to play but he can score. That’s one thing you can’t take him away, he can score goals and that’s what Chelsea need.
“If they catch him put Fofana in that back three and De Jong then they have to be [title contenders].
“The options they have in midfield – Jorginho, De Jong, Mateo Kovacic, Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount and N’Golo Kante.
“I think if De Jong signs he plays, but Jorginho was important for Chelsea.
“I love Jorginho, some people aren’t sure about him but if you look at what he’s done in his career, like helping Italy win the Euros. He’s a calming influence, always wants the ball, never shy away from it, play Chelsea.
“But De Jong can probably do the same, if not a bit better…”
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