Chelsea mean business following their move for Leeds United star Raphinha, says transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Blues look to be winning the race for the Brazilian ahead London rivals Arsenal and Barcelona, though the latter still appear to be firmly in the equation.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

What is the latest transfer news involving Chelsea?

New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is not messing about following his consortium's takeover of the west London club.

As per The Telegraph, the Premier League outfit have struck a £55m deal with Leeds to sign Raphinha, who is also thought to be on Arsenal's radar, this summer.

The 25-year-old is not the only attacker Chelsea are targeting, though, with multiple outlets reporting prior that they had made a move for Manchester City's Raheem Sterling.

According to the Evening Standard, the Blues are confident that they will land the England international this transfer window.

Raheem Sterling to Chelsea is ON! Hear more on The Football Terrace...

What has Jones said about Chelsea?

Jones thinks Chelsea and Boehly have to be taken seriously after their aggressive pursuit of Raphinha.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: "We knew Chelsea had been negotiating in the background for Raphinha, but I have to admit I was surprised by how quickly they moved for him.

"This new approach from Boehly has to be a concern for other clubs - Chelsea really mean business in the new era."

Where could Raphinha and Sterling play next season?

There has been talk about Thomas Tuchel viewing Raphinha as a potential wing-back option, but that seems like a bit of a waste.

Against extremely defensive teams, where the German wants to get as many attacking players on the pitch as possible, it would make some sense.

But in most games, Chelsea fans would surely want to see the Brazil international, who has been described as a "world-class player" by former Premier League winger Darren Huckerby, playing further forward on the right and cutting in with his left foot.

As for Sterling, you would expect him to take up that spot on the left flank, though it would not be a shock if Tuchel deployed him up front from time to time following Romelu Lukaku's decision to return to Inter Milan.

Of course, a lot could depend on whether Tuchel decides to stick with a back three for the 2022/23 campaign, while Chelsea still actually need to sign the two Premier League attackers, which is not a foregone conclusion.