Bertrand Traore will head on loan to Ajax despite featuring heavily in Chelsea's pre-season tour, with his move dropping a major hint that his parent club have lined up a replacement.
Traore was in line to be the third choice striker at Stamford Bridge before being reunited with Peter Bosz, who has taken over at Ajax after working with Traore at Vitesse.
The 20-year-old's departure signals that the Blues are ready to sign a striker with Loic Remy also set to be moved on this summer, and Romelu Lukaku, Mauro Icardi and Gabriel Barbosa are the most likely to come in.
Everton have insisted that Lukaku is not for sale and have offered him a new deal despite the Belgian publicly admitting he wants to return to Stamford Bridge.
Inter captain Icardi is seen as an alternative to Lukaku if a deal can't be agreed, and Goal has recently revealed that Santos' club president recently visited London for talks with various clubs - including Chelsea - over Gabriel Barbosa.
Antonio Conte will be left with only two recognised strikers in Diego Costa and Michy Batshauyi after Traore's departure, though Eden Hazard, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Oscar all played as forwards during the build-up to the new campaign.
Remy was frozen out in pre-season, making only one substitute appearance, and Antonio Conte has hinted that the club are looking to move him away permanently.
Traore will return to Chelsea after his loan deal is completed as he is highly regarded at his parent club having scoring four goals in 16 games in all competitions last season.
> ..... - Goal