Chelsea will welcome two players to Cobham from Ajax this summer after the Amsterdam-based club decided against making Juan Castillo's loan move permanent despite hopes that the left-back could stay and build a future with the Dutch giants.
The Dutch youngster even spoke of his intent to remain in the Eredivisie earlier in the season only for the financial impact of coronavirus to put plans on pause to trigger an option to turn his loan into a full transfer.
He is not set to return to Chelsea on June 30, ahead of the arrival of summer signing Hakim Ziyech from Ajax on July 1.
Nicolas Tagliafico has been heavily-linked with his own move away from Ajax, which would open up opportunities at left-back next season.
Castillo was supposed to be in line to fill that gap after having impressed during his season on-loan in the youth ranks, playing 23 times and setting up six assists as a full-back. His Chelsea contract runs until 2023.
Speaking to Fox Sports back in January, to 20-year-old said: "There is an option to buy. If I do the right things, Ajax will naturally use it. I am naturally working hard."
Ziyech, on the other hand, will move to Stamford Bridge this summer after having dominated the Eredivisie in recent years as the competition's leading playmaker.
He also masterminded Ajax to the final four of the Champions League last season, and scored a goal against the Blues in the group stages of this year's competition to make his quality clear.
The Morocco international is expected to add a new dimension to Chelsea's play next season, linking up with the other midfielders in the squad such as Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount, as well as his fellow summer signing Timo Werner.
After rising to become one of the deadliest forwards in the Bundesliga, the German's pace should provide Ziyech with an excellent outlet, with Tammy Abraham on hand to hold up the ball as well as threaten the goal directly himself.
It is unclear as to whether Castillo will have a chance to prove himself under Frank Lampard at Chelsea. The Blues have also been linked with Leicester City's Ben Chilwell to upgrade their options at full-back.
Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso could both potentially leave west London this summer if the right offers come in, with the future of the left-back slot an area of great intrigue for fans of the Blues who are keen to see the position locked down by a worthy successor to Ashley Cole.
