Mario Pasalic’s permanent move to Atalanta will reportedly help Chelsea in their pursuits of Ben Chillwell and Kai Havertz.
Pasalic, who had been out on loan, has cut his ties with Chelsea in a deal reported to be worth around £13.5m.
And the Evening Standard say this is a “financial boost” for the Blues as they look to raise funds for more big-money signings.
Deals have already been done for Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech and manager Frank Lampard is keen to being in more new faces for next season.
Lampard has been unable to bring in players during the previous two transfer windows and has made no secret of his desire to improve his squad this summer.
With Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri seemingly surplus to requirements, a new left-back seems a likely signing.
But Leicester are reluctant to sell England international Chilwell and reports suggest the Foxes will not part with him for less than £80m.
And Bayer Leverkusen are said to be demanding around £90m for Germany winger Havertz, who has been linked with several other clubs, including Liverpool.
There has been speculation that Chelsea could be willing to sell a host of players, including N’Golo Kante, to raise money for new signings.
The deal for Pasalic – a player never likely to make the grade at Stamford Bridge – can therefore only be positive news for Lampard.
The arrival of another top-class winger would create serious competition for places, with the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic looking to establish themselves.
But Lampard has made it clear to his players that they should embrace the challenge.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Lampard said: “I don’t feel the need to address every player if a player comes in who might contest their position at a club like Chelsea.
“That (competition) is what it’s about. It’s been about that in the most successful years when we’ve been a successful club in the Roman Abramovich era, mainly.”