The last few days have seen Chelsea quick to move in the first of what is likely to be several transfer negotiations.
Announced exclusively on ChelseaTV on Monday evening, Chelsea revealed their first close season signing as being one Enrique De Lucas.
The 23 year old Spanish midfielder, has signed a four year deal which begins when his current contract expires at Espanyol this summer.
Speculation has surrounded the young Spaniard in recent months with several clubs casting a watchful eye over reported disagreements between De Lucas and Espanyol over his supposed "unreasonable pay demands". However, it is believed that Claudio Ranieri has tracked De Lucas for some time, first noticing the young player while managing Valencia.
De Lucas, questioned on ChelseaTV and speaking through an interpreter, describes himself as a player comfortable to play anywhere across the midfield and one that likes to attack and get amongst the goals. His strengths, he states, being ones of pace and the ability to use both feet.
This free transfer (the first to be made by new managing director Trevor Birch who replaced Colin Hutchinson in April) confirms Claudio Ranieri’s belief to develop a young squad in the hope for building for the future.
Time will tell.