Chelsea have endured a slow start to the summer transfer window when compared to their Premier League rivals but the Blues are stepping-up their chase for new recruits now that the window has officially opened.

Antonio Conte is set for a major restructure at Stamford Bridge despite winning the Premier League last season, with the likes of Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa set to be offloaded, and the Blues need to improve a squad that lacks significant depth.

The Italian boss has tricks up his sleeve though and it seems like the first major signing of the summer for the Blues is imminent, as The Daily Mirror states German defender Antonio Rudiger is set to move after undergoing a medical in Los Angeles.

Rudiger, who can play on the right-side as well as centrally in defence, is due to arrive from Roma for a fee of around £36m and will rejuvenate Chelsea’s back-line, potentially allowing Cesar Azpilicueta to revert to a more familiar role out wide.

The German may also be considered a replacement for ageing defender Gary Cahill and arrives to replace two departing players, with John Terry having been released and Nathan Ake sealing a permanent move to Bournemouth after a successful loan stint last year.

Whilst Rudiger is a major signing who is a big improvement to Chelsea’s ranks, the Blues cannot afford to stop there as they need to bolster their options in other areas of the side- particularly in central midfield and up-front.

N’Golo Kante is crying out for a reliable midfield partner, with the Blues continuing to chase the services of Monaco ace Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Costa’s imminent exit leaves a major void to be filled in attack- especially as Michy Batshuayi also faces an uncertain future.

Bakayoko and former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku are likely to be the focus for Antonio Conte’s side over the next few weeks but they ideally need to arrive before the Blues’ first pre-season match against Arsenal in Beijing on the 22nd July, as they need time to settle.

With Chelsea playing just three pre-season matches before the Community Shield clash with Arsenal at Wembley in August, any new signings at Stamford Bridge won’t have too much time to settle into their new surroundings- which could be an issue upon the Premier League’s return.

The new few weeks are therefore vital for Conte and his side, as he’ll need to flex the club’s financial muscles on the market.