Xavi Simons to Chelsea transfer delay explained, Morgan Rogers stance and Garnacho interest

With the summer transfer window now in its final month, Chelsea's business is set to heat up even more in the coming weeks. So we thought it was only right for you people to ask Bobby Vincent, our Chelsea reporter, questions about the club's plans in the near future.

Here is the full transcript from the Q&A session from Friday afternoon:

Q: What's the hold up in Chelsea's talks to sign Xavi Simons? Is it because of Christopher Nkunku?

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A: With Xavi Simons, Chelsea always wanted to offload players first - that was the 'ideal world' situation. Joao Felix leaving helps, definitely, but I don't think the reason the deal has stalled a bit is to do with offloading players. Unfortunately not every transfer is straightforward. Some take time.

Q: How are we doing at Xavi Simons? Do you think the deal will get done?

A: I think the deal will get done, yes. Everything communicated to me is positive.

Q: Is there any current chance we go for a keeper later in the window?

A: I can't see it at the moment. From what I hear the club are more than happy with the options they have already in the goalkeeper department.

Q: After the latest updates regarding Xavi Simons and the idea that Chelsea need to sell before buying him, it doesn’t quite make sense to me. Previously, it was said that Chelsea definitely intended to sign him, and there was no mention of needing to sell first. Now we’re getting a different story...

A: I think Chelsea are trying their best to sign Simons regardless of outgoings. Player sales help, of course, and they will benefit from Joao Felix leaving for decent money. The hold up in negotiations is not necessarily to do with waiting on players to leave. Sometimes transfers are not as simple as people think. I was told a few days ago Chelsea are preparing an opening offer - that has not gone in yet as far as I am aware but there remains plenty of confidence from Simons' camp that he will become a Chelsea player this summer.

Q: With management reportedly looking to offload over 10 players - such as Nkunku, Sterling, Chilwell, Broja, and others - what tactical goals are Chelsea aiming to achieve through this summer’s squad remodel?

A: Enzo Maresca wants two players in each position - players he trusts, crucially. Chelsea are well on course to do that with a couple more incomings. The players you have listed do not fit into the way Maresca likes his team to play.

Q: Regarding the potential Simons deal there has been reported that the club has great confidence that a deal can be done, what is this confidence stemming from other than the player’s desire to join? And also, how come there has not been even a verbal bid yet?

A: There is a confidence, you are right. Chelsea and Leipzig have held - what have been described to me as - positive conversations. Leipzig are open to doing business - and that is crucial. Simons is desperate for the move, too, so there are plenty of reasons to be confident with this one.

Q: Is Malick Fofana not an option instead of Alejandro Garnacho if we want a young profile?

A: Malick Fofana is someone the club like. However, there are multiple clubs making moves for him at the moment and Chelsea are not one of them.

Q: Any update on Simons? Still an interest in Morgan Rogers?

A: No update unfortunately. Confidence the deal will be done, though. As for Rogers, yes, he is someone the club are interested in but a deal this summer will be complicated. Villa will not sell cheap; they want to keep him.

Q: Will Chelsea sign a striker if Nicolas Jackson leaves?

A: If Jackson was to leave, yes, but I don't think he will.

Q: I was wondering about the players who are leaving the club, such as Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Armando Broja, etc. Are there any clubs interested in these players? Are they sought after enough by other clubs? How likely is it that we will actually sell these players, given that Chelsea only wants to sell on its own terms?

A: I know there are clubs interested in Disasi (although no names have been given to me). Sterling is wanted by multiple clubs overseas - and there is big interest from Saudi Arabia. RB Leipzig and Stuttgart are both keen on Broja. As for Chilwell, I haven't heard anything.

Q: Do you know why the club is so heavy on Garnacho when we already have a 20-year-old winger in Jamie Gittens? Would Garnacho not halt his development? Also, where do Chelsea see Xavi Simons playing as the No.10 or on the left wing?

A: Chelsea want two players for each position. Buying someone like Garnacho would allow Tyrique George to move on loan - something that has been mooted in recent weeks. Gittens and Garnacho on the left, for example, Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Xavi Simons (possibly) as the No.10 options, Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto on the right, and Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro as the three No.9s.