Abramovich plans £70M summer spending spree

The Daily Express says Roman Abramovich has given the go-ahead for a spending spree after Chelsea had their worldwide FIFA transfer ban lifted earlier this month. They did not spend in the January transfer window, even though the ban had been frozen, with manager Carlo Ancelotti preferring to keep his powder dry.

The recruitment drive is set to happen even if Chelsea are successful in their three-pronged hunt for honours this season in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Abramovich and Ancelotti are aware they have an ageing squad that will need an injection of new blood sooner rather than later.

Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira are all 31 years old, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti both 33 and Deco 32.