Mauricio Pochettino prepared his dream £68m striker deal after Chelsea scheduling Nicolas Jackson medical

Chelsea have the tough task of reducing a bloated squad this summer and while they need to beat some players, Mauricio Pochettino remains keen to strengthen his options further.

As Chelsea begin preparing for the departure of N’Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech and Kalidou Koulibaly, Olympique Lyonnais have reportedly opened a sale – and some diamonds in the rough are up for grabs.

Mauricio Pochettino has been tasked with the difficult task of bringing down a bloated side this summer and while he has some players to beat, the 51-year-old remains keen to bolster his options further.

The Blues have been heavily linked this summer with the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with Cristopher Nkunku expected to follow suit.

But now Pochettino has had the unique opportunity to invade one of France’s most formidable clubs.

Lyon were bought by an American investor named John Textor late last year, with the 57-year-old since he became club chairman.

And according to RMC Sport, Les Gones will have to raise £111million to avoid sanctions from the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, the body which oversees the accounts of French football clubs.

Thiago Mendes

With Lyon desperate to raise funds, several players have been made available for transfers this summer, including Rayan Cherki, Thiago Mendes and Castello Lukeba.

The trio were regulars in the France first team last season and despite their impressive performances, they were available for much less than the market price.

According to L’Equipe, Chelsea tried to sign Lukeba last year but his £38million offer was rejected by Lyon. In a bid to force an exit this summer, the report says the 20-year-old defender was looking to switch agents in April – but it remains to be seen whether he was successful in changing agents.

As for Mendes, he would certainly provide plenty of cover in midfield while the Blues can still get their hands on Caicedo and Lavia, while Cherki scored four goals and six assists in 34 Ligue 1 games last season after being linked on a transfer. to Paris Saint-Germain in January.

With a few busy weeks ahead, Chelsea have already landed a deal for a Lyon star: Malo Gusto. After signing for the Blues in the final week of the January transfer window, he rejoined the French side on loan until the end of the season.

West Londoners reportedly paid around £26m, including add-ons, for the then 19-year-old right-back. Chelsea were to benefit significantly from Gusto’s reception at Stamford Bridge in the winter, with Reece James’ injury record becoming an issue.

But they could not agree on this as part of the deal. Pochettino will be delighted to team up with two of the most exciting young full-backs on his arrival at Cobham training ground on July 1 – and perhaps Gusto can take Cherki along…