Chelsea transfer news: Enzo Maresca confirms star "can leave" as club look to make more summer additions

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that striker Nicolas Jackson will be allowed to leave this summer.

The Blues will begin their Premier League campaign on Sunday against FA Cup and Community Shield champions Crystal Palace, and fans are looking forward to seeing a number of new faces.

Stars such as Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro could make their domestic debuts for the club, though the addition of the latter two may have signalled the end of striker Jackson's time at Stamford Bridge.

The forward has been pushed down the pecking order, and Maresca has confirmed that the striker is not in his plans, telling reporters: "You know the situation already. The window transfer is open. He can leave, and we'll see.”

“At the moment, we have two right-wingers: Pedro [Neto] and Estevao [Willian]. We have two number nines: Liam [Delap] and Joao [Pedro]. Nico [Jackson] is still with us; you know the situation."

Maresca also added that he believes the club need to strengthen on the left flank. as well as in central defence this transfer window.

Will a Premier League club buy Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea?

Jackson is said to have Premier League admirers, and perhaps the most logical destination for the 24-year-old would be Newcastle United.

The Magpies could lose star striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool, and Eddie Howe will need a proven replacement if he is to challenge for the league's European spots.

Aston Villa have also been credited with an interest in the Chelsea man, and given centre-forward Ollie Watkins is 29, it may be a sensible idea to sign a younger successor.

Jackson could be tempted to leave England if rumours linking him with Bayern Munich are to be believed, and the forward would be able to regularly challenge for titles in Germany.

Who will Chelsea sign in the rest of the transfer window?

Maresca is thought to be keen on signing RB Leipzig attacker Xavi Simons, who has predominantly operated from the left in his career.

The Dutchman is also comfortable operating as a number 10, and he could allow Cole Palmer to be taken out of the XI whenever he needs to be rested.

At the other end of the pitch, a clear target is yet to emerge for the Blues following news of Levi Colwill's ACL injury.

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi has been touted as a player of interest to Maresca, but Liverpool appear to be ahead of the competition for the Englishman.