Chelsea make defender decision after closing in on €14m WONDERKID

Suraj Radia

• 28 Jan 2025 05:00 CST
• 3 min read

Chelsea will not pursue a defender before the end of the month as they already have identified their solution at centre-back, with a deal for their top target edging closer.

The Blues have been uncharacteristically quiet during the January transfer window, with their only activity so far being the loan departure of Renato Veiga to Juventus, while Trevoh Chalobah was also recalled from his stint at Crystal Palace.

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With Wesley Fofana recovering from a long-term injury and Benoit Badiashile also sidelined, there was some expectation that Chelsea would move for another defender in the final days of the transfer window, particularly with interest growing in Axel Disasi.

However, The Athletic have claimed that Chelsea ‘are not thinking’ about signing a defender this month after reaching a pre-agreement to sign Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg in the summer.

The 19-year-old has impressed this season and Chelsea are understood to have agreed a €14 million fee for Sarr to move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, with Italian journalist Nicolo Schira revealing a deal is 'close' to being finalised.

Sarr’s impending arrival has seemingly convinced Chelsea to avoid utilising their limited resources on another defensive reinforcement, with Enzo Maresca likely having to rely on his current crop of defenders for the remainder of the season.

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Despite Chelsea’s lack of available depth at centre-back, the Blues may allow Disasi to leave the club before Monday’s transfer deadline after receiving loan interest in the Frenchman.

Disasi has started just four times in the Premier League this season and the 26-year-old has been told he can leave Chelsea for the right price.

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Aston Villa are understood to have agreed personal terms with Disasi and the Midlands outfit are in talks with Chelsea over a deal, which could end up simply being a straight loan.

Villa are also interested in Joao Felix as Chelsea look to move on some fringe players such as Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka before the deadline.

Any exits would help facilitate last minute incomings for Chelsea, with Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho the club’s top target alongside a midfielder and striker.