Chelsea face an important summer after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. The Blues finished 10th in the Premier League and missed out on European football for next season.
Despite significant investment and a squad packed with talent, Chelsea struggled to find consistency throughout the year.
The club reached the FA Cup final and the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but ultimately ended the season without silverware.
Their Champions League campaign also ended in disappointment. Paris Saint-Germain knocked Chelsea out in the Round of 16, leaving the club searching for answers ahead of the new campaign.
As a result, Chelsea continue to look towards the future. The club remain active in the transfer market and are exploring opportunities to strengthen their squad before Xabi Alonso’s arrival.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund enjoyed a far more successful season. Niko Kovac guided Dortmund to second place in the Bundesliga with 73 points.
The German side secured Champions League qualification after producing a consistent domestic campaign built around strong performances at both ends of the pitch.
Although Dortmund fell short in Europe, their performances in Germany reinforced their position as one of the continent’s leading development clubs.
Dortmund have also continued investing heavily in young talent. Now, another highly-rated youngster has emerged on their radar.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Borussia Dortmund have joined Chelsea and Fiorentina in the race to sign Argentine attacking midfielder Giovanni Baroni from Club Atletico Talleres.
The 17-year-old talent also holds an Italian passport and has attracted growing interest from clubs across Europe. His current release clause reportedly stands at €25 million.
However, the report claims a deal could become possible for around €15 million plus bonuses. That figure may encourage more clubs to pursue the teenager in the coming months.
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