The THREE players Chelsea could still sign: Fabrizio Romano gives transfer update

Stuart Telford

• 24 Jan 2023 16:31 CST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have already spent €180 million on the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Benoit Badiashile this winter, but there could be yet more arrivals at Stamford Bridge before the January transfer window slams shut.

Chelsea could hardly have been busier in the two transfer windows since Todd Boehly succeeded Roman Abramovich as owner, spending €280m last summer and now €180m this.

Mudryk's has been the most headline-grabbing acquisition this winter, the Blues agreeing to pay Shakhtar Donetsk €70m up front with €30m to follow in add-ons for the Ukrainian winger's services, stealing his signature from under Arsenal's noses.

READ: Exclusive: Chelsea's Gusto interest could snowball as Man City and Spurs keep tabs

But there is still business to be done if transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano is to be believed.

— Matolisso (@Matolisso) December 29, 2022

Right-back and centre-mids wanted

"They've had an opening bid for Malo Gusto, the right-back of Olympique Lyon, it's true - an opening verbal bid was turned down," he told his YouTube channel.

"Lyon… proposed to Chelsea to keep the player on loan for six months and then let him go to Chelsea in the summer, but Chelsea want the player now. Chelsea have an agreement with the player. Gusto said 'yes' to a potential Chelsea move, but it depends on the clubs."

Chelsea's need for cover at right-back behind an increasingly injury-afflicted Reece James is obvious, but they also plan to bolster in central midfield with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante both the wrong side of 30 and out of contract at the end of the season.

READ: Chelsea prepare second raid for Benfica's Enzo Fernandez

"From what I'm told, Chelsea - one week ago - in a secret way, tried to approach again Benfica for Enzo Fernandez," Romano continued. " Benfica were in the same position at beginning of the transfer market. They said €120 million or nothing. This is Rui Costa, and the Benfica president's position."

Romano concluded by saying the Chelsea were "Exploring the possibility" of signing Moises Caicedo from Brighton.

Chelsea have already seen a €62m bid for Caicedo rejected by Brighton, but the Ecuadorean is still likely to cost less than Fernandez should he ultimately follow Graham Potter and Marc Cucurella to Stamford Bridge.