Chelsea's Late Window Dash: £26m Tati Bid and Disasi Exit Plans

With the transfer window slamming shut on Monday, Chelsea have thrown together a late gambit to land Nantes defender Tylel Tati, lodging what French outlet L'Equipe describes as an "unwritten offer" for the 18-year-old prospect.

The Blues have signalled their intention to table an official bid in the region of €30m—approximately £26m—for the young defender, intensifying their push over recent days. Chelsea's preference would see Tati loaned back to the Ligue 1 outfit for the remainder of the campaign, though the logistics and Nantes' initial rejection make such an arrangement a non-starter before the deadline passes.

This latest manoeuvre fits the Todd Boehly-led ownership's well-documented strategy since taking the helm in May 2022. The consortium has ploughed well over a billion pounds into Stamford Bridge, prioritising young talent with sell-on potential while attempting to rebuild the club's trophy credentials. Yet results have proven elusive: sixth place, fourth place, and currently fourth again, though that standing could slip to fifth depending on Manchester United's Sunday fixture at Fulham—all this following the sacking of Enzo Maresca in favour of Liam Rosenior.

Whilst pursuing Tati, Chelsea are simultaneously engineering departures. Axel Disasi appears destined for the exit, with West Ham and AC Milan both circling the defender on loan terms. According to transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano, Disasi is aware of Milan's interest and would prefer a move to the San Siro should the Italian club commit. West Ham stand ready as a fallback option should Milan balk at the proposition. Milan, however, have since indicated they are leaning towards passing on the loan opportunity.

The Stamford Bridge overhaul doesn't end there. Internally, Chelsea are weighing whether to recall Mamadou Sarr from his current loan arrangement, discussions ongoing about bringing the defender back into the fold. Meanwhile, Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet remains a tantalising prospect, with Liverpool also monitoring the situation and Bayern Munich apparently dropping out of contention. The player favours a Premier League move, and Chelsea are pressing hard through his representatives—a now-or-never scenario before summer, with Rennes willing to sell now but allow an immediate departure only if terms suit. Liverpool remain open to a summer swoop, but Chelsea's urgency suggests they want business concluded before Monday's deadline passes.