Maurizio Sarri could hand Chelsea's next owners £54m transfer boost amid takeover deadline

Maurizio Sarri was certainly not the most popular manager in recent Chelsea history. Despite leading the Blues to the Europa League crown, the veteran Italian was only afforded a solitary season at Stamford Bridge, with his style of play earning him the most criticism.

Whilst the now Lazio head coach was not enamoured by swathes of the Blues’ crowd, he could potentially be set to hand his former club a vital boost of transfer funds this summer, with uncertainty over the club’s ownership situation still rolling on. As it stands, Chelsea are not allowed to secure any deals, or indeed commit existing players to new contracts in west London, so long as Roman Abramovich remains the owner of the club.

That could all well change within the next few weeks, with Raine’s deadline for any official takeover bids and documents coming today (Thursday). With a number of contenders in the running to complete a deal, the question remains how much any of those interested parties would be able to spend in the summer transfer window should they secure a move. The new owners’ - and indeed Chelsea’s - coffers could potentially be boosted should Sarri ’s Lazio complete moves for a handful of his former players.

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Firstly, the Italian giants have been linked with a swoop for Kepa Arrizabalaga for some time. Whilst Chelsea appear highly unlikely to