As noted by The Times, Chelsea cannot register new players for next season’s Champions League squad unless they balance out the squad costs from “List A”, which is the last squad registered with UEFA for the second half of the Conference League campaign. The rule means any spending on new players must be balanced out by income from sales.

Noni Madueke has apparently agreed personal terms with busy busy bees Arsenal, but that is just the first step in what could be a fairly protracted transfer saga. The two teams have yet to begin talks in earnest,