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The summer transfer window is yet to open but Chelsea's business has absolutely started. They are one of many clubs looking to make the most of the early Club World Cup market opportunities ahead of their trip to America next month.

Getting deals over the line in time will be a challenge as many may well rely on European qualification, which will not be decided until the end of this weekend.

That has not stopped Chelsea from announcing their first piece of work with more set to follow. On Wednesday, the sale of academy graduate Bashir Humphreys to Burnley was confirmed.

He will join on July 1 after spending the season on loan at Turf Moor, helping Scott Parker's side return immediately to the Premier League. Humphreys, who had always been expected to leave Chelsea after an obligation to buy clause was inserted in his loan last year, made his senior debut for the club in 2022/23 under Graham Potter.

The 22-year-old has also spent time at Swansea City and Paderborn. In a historic season for Burnley in the Championship, he only conceded four times in the 1,800 minutes he was on the pitch (across 25 appearances and 20 starts). It is thought that Humphreys will bank Chelsea around £14million.

Although there are no other known loan-to-buy moves coming into play after June 30, Kepa Arrizabalaga, for example, will return from Bournemouth but has no future at the club.

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The same will be true for Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, and Carney Chukwuemeka. All four were left as part of the club's bomb squad at the end of pre-season last year. Some didn't even get taken for the tour of USA, such was Chelsea insistence that they would depart.

Finding new permanent homes for players on high wages and those who are so clearly out of favour has proved extremely hard, though. That will be the task for Chelsea's co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Unfortunately, the list of loanees who are likely to pursue their careers away from SW6 does not end with Chilwell and Co. It is a lengthy list with Humphreys simply the first to go.

He was a simple one to get done and there is no baggage. The same cannot be said for the others. Axel Disasi, for example, was signed for £35million in 2023 and is now not in the plans under Enzo Maresca two years later.

Armando Broja has never been first choice and has always had injury problems. Chelsea wanted more than £35million for him but after no goals at Everton, that is not going to come.

As for David Datro Fofana, turning a profit on the £10million paid to sign him in January 2023 shouldn't be too much of a challenge, even if it is not a substantial one.

It won't be as easy to solve the great Joao Felix issue. Chelsea had a trial for Felix and still chose to bring him back.

Finding a way to convince another top European club to pay anything for him will be an almighty ask. As for Renato Veiga, he was at least much cheaper and has been playing for Juventus regularly. Felix was a substitute by the end at Milan.

Last but not least is Lesley Ugochukwu.

It may well be that another loan suffices for the Frenchman but if Chelsea were offered more than the £22million they paid for Ugochukwu, it would be a surprise if they didn't consider it.

Humphreys, then, is an easy one to tick off. The loanee done good and the assured money coming in. He ends a long association with the club from boy to senior professional heading for the Premier League.

"Thank you, Chelsea," he wrote on Instagram after the announcement. "I’m so grateful to all the staff & players I’ve come across during my time at the club. I met some amazing people & made friends for life.

"From my academy trial against Manchester City to making my professional debut against the same club, it’s been a journey!! The lessons I’ve learnt have been so valuable and ones I’ll carry with me for life.

"To the fans, thank you for your endless support. Even during my loans you’ve supported my career. Wishing you all the best in the future. Chelsea will always be in my heart."

Chelsea will face Humphreys next season and don't have to worry about what to do with him. They will have to find ways to solve the dilemmas of their other loan players, though.