Chelsea Transfer News Today: Guehi INTEREST, Nkunku EXIT, Chalobah TWIST, Lavia SHOCK

Tom Weber

Updated: 6 Jan 2025 17:18 GMT
4 min read

Chelsea may be busier in the January transfer window than initially anticipated, with the club considering centre-back options following the potentially season-ending injury to Wesley Fofana.

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Additionally, several players are on their way out of Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea yet to offload all of the members of their 'Bomb Squad' from the summer.

But it seems that it is not only unwanted players who could be on the move but even some of the more highly-rated stars in what would surely be a major blow.

Chelsea's centre-back options

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are eyeing two familiar faces as potential replacements for Fofana. Contrary to previous reporting, it seems that the Blues did actually include a January break clause in Trevoh Chalobah's loan deal with Crystal Palace.

There is a chance that they will recall the academy graduate despite forcing him out of the club in the summer, but they could also look to make a major splash. That is because Romano reports that they greatly appreciate former Cobham prospect Marc Guehi as well.

A potential hurdle could, however, be that Chelsea do not have a straight buy-back clause for the Crystal Palace star, so they would likely have to shell out a massive. In the summer, Palace quoted Newcastle a fee of €80m-€90m and that asking price surely won't be reduced mid-season.

Nkunku to leave?

Romano also reports that Christopher Nkunku could leave the club as early as this month should he or his agent hand in a transfer request. The Frenchman is frustrated with his lack of meaningful Premier League action and is said to be considering his options.

It is unclear whether Nkunku will make the decision to push for a January move, but it is thought that Chelsea wouldn't block a move - at the right price, of course - despite the fact that they want to keep him.

Doubts about Lavia?

When he has been fit, Romeo Lavia has looked a brilliant player for Chelsea, but Si Phillips claims that this may not spare him the axe going forward.

The journalist asserts that coach Enzo Maresca has concerns about the young midfielder's persistent injury issues and suitability to his system. With the Belgian currently nursing a thigh problem, Chelsea could look to recall loanees Lesley Ugochukwu or Andrey Santos.

West Ham eye midfield duo

According to The Telegraph, West Ham hold an interest in Chelsea midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who are both struggling for minutes.

Chukwuemeka was part of the summer's 'Bomb Squad' and is all but guaranteed to leave the club this month, while there has also been speculation surrounding new signing Dewsbury-Hall given his lack of action.

Chelsea are said to have opened up to the idea of a potential loan exit of Chukwuemeka but would ideally like to sell him permanently. However, the fact that they insist on suitors paying his €48m release clause appears to make such a deal unlikely.

Veiga offered to Juventus

Last week, Fabrizio Romano revealed that Napoli are interested in versatile Chelsea defender Renato Veiga, who was only signed in the summer. Now, Calciomercato claims that the Portugal international has been 'offered' to Juventus.

Maresca is said to view him as a key part of his squad despite recently omitting him against Fulham and Chelsea are reportedly not keen on a sale. However, a loan move appears to be a potential option this month.

Read more about: Premier League Chelsea Andrey Santos Carney Chukwuemeka Christopher Nkunku Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Lesley Ugochukwu Marc Guéhi Renato Veiga Roméo Lavia Trevoh Chalobah Wesley Fofana