Chelsea Transfer News Today: First deal CONFIRMED, wonderkid bid MADE, Sancho SURPRISE

Tom Weber

Updated: 15 Jan 2025 19:13 GMT
5 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

It has been a busy day at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea sealing their addition deal of the January window.

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Additionally, the Blues launched an opening bid for a potential replacement for Mykhailo Mudryk, while the departure of defender Axel Disasi picked up steam.

This January is proving to be much more dynamic than initially anticipated in west London, although Chelsea have yet to make a real splash in the market.

Trevoh Chalobah recalled

The first real addition to Enzo Maresca's squad has come in the form of Trevoh Chalobah, who has been recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.

Chelsea had already recalled goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina and defender Aaron Anselmino, but neither is expected to play a particularly big role this season. The same can't be said for Chalobah, who is ready to step in immediately for the injured Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.

Initially, it was thought that recalling him would be impossible this month due to reports claiming that the Blues did not bother to include a January break clause in his loan, but this turned out to be false.

Chelsea also considered re-signing academy graduate Marc Guehi but this would have been a much more expensive undertaking. Bringing back Chalobah is a low-risk decision, although all parties understand that this is just a temporary measure.

According to The Telegraph, Chalobah is still expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the season regardless of how he performs in the coming months. Chelsea tried to force the homegrown out last summer but he failed to secure a permanent move.

Yeremay Hernandez bid made

According to MARCA, Chelsea have submitted an opening offer for Deportivo la Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez. The bid clocked in at around €10 million plus bonuses, which is well below his €20m release clause.

The Spanish second-tier outfit have deemed the offer 'insufficient' and continue to insist on his clause getting triggered despite the fact that Chelsea also offered to potentially swap players and to include a sell-on percentage.

French media reported earlier this week that Hernandez would be expected to initially join up with BlueCo affiliate Strasbourg, who are believed to be the real driving force behind the move. However, Chelsea would first have to recall one of their three Strasbourg loanees for such a move to be possible.

Jadon Sancho surprise

Chelsea boss Maresca has admitted that he has been positively surprised by summer signing Jadon Sancho so far this season. “For me he’s doing very well,” the head coach said.

“I am quite surprised with Jadon because I knew Jadon already and I know what I expected from him, but in terms of being consistent, he’s doing very well. Apart from a short part of the season when he had some problems, when he was out ill, then for the rest he has been very good.

“I expected him to do well, but for all the players doing well for a long period is not easy, and he has been doing well for a long period already. He’s doing well, now he just needs to continue going in that way.”

Axel Disasi expected to leave

The news of Chalobah returning has made a departure of Axel Disasi increasingly likely, with the Frenchman not featuring against Bournemouth on Tuesday to avoid a potential injury.

CaughtOffside claims that none of Disasi's suitors have as yet approached Chelsea with a formal offer, although Juventus could step up their pursuit following the surprising twist in their pursuit of Ronald Araujo, with the Barcelona star now close to signing a new contract.

Mathys Tel to stay at Bayern?

Bayern Munich continue to push for Chelsea striker Christopher Nkunku. The Blues have slapped an initial €70m price tag on the Frenchman's head, which is complicating a potential transfer.

There is nevertheless a certain confidence that a deal can be done due to Nkunku having already agreed personal terms with the Germans and being desperate for the move.

Another factor to consider in this saga is Mathy Tel. Bayern insist that they could sign Nkunku even if Tel were to stay, but there are doubts about the youngster's willingness to remain should the Bundesliga side add another player in his position.

Crucially, however, Sky Germany claims that Tel generally wants to stay and remains fully committed to Bayern - for now - despite the interest from Chelsea and the ongoing talks over a deal for Nkunku.