The January transfer window opens for business on New Year’s Day and Chelsea will certainly be keen to get their winter business up and running sooner rather than later.
The Blues have already been linked to a number of players throughout Europe as they attempt to recover their somewhat stuttering Premier League title challenge.
Whilst there could be some arrivals at Stamford Bridge in January, there are also a couple of exits potentially on the cards.
With that all being said, football.london takes a look at the latest transfer rumours circling around the gossip columns before the market gets underway once again.
Who?
Lucas Digne
Where?
talkSPORT
What?
Everton have completed the signing of Ukrainian left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko from Dynamo Kiev.
A deal which could push Digne inadvertently closer to the exit doors amid constant rumours of a potential Chelsea, Inter Milan or Paris-Saint Germain transfer coming to fruition this month.
Chelsea are in desperate need of a Ben Chilwell replacement after the £50milllion full-back was confirmed to be out for the rest of the season after successful surgery.
Reports have claimed Digne and Rafael Benitez’s relationship is ‘at the point of no return’ after a falling out between the player and manager.
On top of this, the player in question has been out for a couple of weeks due to an illness but he was pictured in training ahead of Brighton this weekend.
“I have to be sure the players that will be there tomorrow want to be there, and they want to fight for the club and that’s it,” Benitez said when quizzed about this said illness.
Who?
Paulo Dybala
Where?
Walter Sabatini (former Roma Sporting Director)
What?
Chelsea have been told to sign the Argentine international in the January transfer window to help solve their attacking woes.
Romelu Lukaku has thrown his toys out of the pram with his latest comments, so the Blues may be looking now to see who they can sign in the attacking sense to help compensate for the potential loss of the Belgian in the short-term, who is expected to face some disciplinary action from the club for his latest actions.
And a player who has been linked to west London in the past has come back on the agenda in the form of Dybala and the Italian director has already told Marina Granovskaia why she needs to sanction the £45million signing.
“If I went to a great European club, let’s say Chelsea for example, I would immediately try to take Dybala,” Sabatini suggested.
“Someone will say that he is not made for the Premier, but the truth is that he is made for football.”
Who?
Kieran Trippier
Where?
Jacob Steinberg
What?
Reece James’ absence for the next 6-8 weeks could prompt Chelsea into hijacking Newcastle’s imminent move for the former Tottenham man.
The latest on Tripper regarding his move from the Toon comes from Fabrizio Romano: “Deal in progress between Newcastle and Atletico Madrid for Kieran Trippier as said here yesterday. Talks ongoing, club still confident to sign him soon.
“Waiting for the official, final bid.”
The west Londoners now need to act quickly if they want to secure their short-term James replacement who was the latest long-term injury casualty after he suffered a hamstring tear against Brighton.
Thankfully, he will not require surgery but Chelsea certainly need a back up for the meantime as Cesar Azpilicueta is currently the only man who could potentially cover in his absence at right wing back.
Who?
Romelu Lukaku
Where?
Fabrizio Romano and Matt Law
What?
Both have reported that the Blues aren’t prepared to even consider selling the club record signing already, so shortly into his return.
His comments have further added to the misery of what has been a terrible end to 2021 for the club in general with poor form, injuries and Covid woes causing problems on and off the pitch.
Thomas Tuchel has responded to the comments that undermined his management but it seems the board aren’t going to grant his wishes of making his Inter Milan return dream.
Romano’s latest update on his YouTube channel went: “Thomas Tuchel will talk face to face with Romelu Lukaku. The situation is so clear on club side: he’s not leaving the club.”
