Chelsea Transfer News Today: First January signing CLOSE, Tavares WANTED, Felix BOMBSHELL

Cameron Smith

20 Jan 2025 11:00 CST
4 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

FootballTransfers runs through all the latest Chelsea transfer news, rumours and gossip, including updates on Mamadou Sarr, Nuno Tavares and Joao Felix.

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First January signing revealed

Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Strasbourg defender Mamadou Sarr for a fee of €20 million.

The 19-year-old has reached an agreement over a long-term contract with Chelsea, according to RMC Sport reporter Fabrice Hawkins, and he is set to be loaned straight back to Strasbourg for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

Chelsea purchased Strasbourg in 2023, and they have sent Andrey Santos, Caleb Wiley and Djordje Petrovic on loan to the Ligue 1 club this year.

However, one of those three stars must be recalled by Chelsea if they decide to purchase Sarr and loan him back to Strasbourg. That is because FIFA rules state that teams are only allowed to send a maximum of three players on loan to the same club at any given time in one season.

Nuno Tavares enquiry

Chelsea are eager to sign Lazio defender Nuno Tavares amid reports that Renato Veiga could leave the club this month.

Veiga, 21, has been heavily linked with a Stamford Bridge exit over the past few weeks, with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund both in talks to land him before the January transfer window closes.

As a result, Chelsea have identified Tavares as a potential transfer option, according to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla.

Current ETV

Nuno Tavares

D, M (L)

Lazio

Nuno Tavares

D, M (L)

Lazio

ETV Range

€3M - €5M

The 24-year-old is currently on loan at Lazio from Arsenal, but the deal is set to become permanent for a fee of less than €10 million this summer, and Chelsea have initiated talks over a possible move during discussions about Cesare Casadei’s proposed switch to the Italian capital.

Joao Felix to AC Milan?

AC Milan have reportedly stepped up their interest in Chelsea forward Joao Felix after turning down the chance to sign Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford.

Calciomercato have revealed that Milan are eager to sign Felix on loan with an obligation to buy for €35m in July 2026.

As a result, they are hoping to sign Felix on an initial six-month loan deal in January, which would need to be renewed by a further year this summer, before landing him on a permanent deal.

Tottenham eye Tosin Adarbioyo

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo before the January transfer window closes.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have been severely impacted by injuries so far this season and CaughtOffside have revealed that they are eyeing a shock move for Tosin.

The 27-year-old has made 18 appearances since arriving at Stamford Bridge on a free transfer during the summer.

© IMAGO - Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing Tosin Adarabioyo

Zion Suzuki wanted

Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United in the race to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, according to Fichajes.

The Japan international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for the past few years, but Chelsea have reportedly joined the race for his signature amid their search for a new number one.

Parma are set to demand a fee in excess of €45m to sanction a sale this year, although Suzuki’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at just over €7m.

West Ham agree deal

West Ham United have agreed a deal to bring Chelsea recruitment analyst Kyle Macaulay to the club, as per The Telegraph.

Macaulay, who worked with new West Ham boss Graham Potter at Ostersunds, Swansea City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea, was reportedly eager to be reunited with the Englishman and a compensation deal has now been agreed.

Macaulay was brought to Chelsea following Potter’s appointment in September 2022, but he remained at the club following the 49-year-old’s sacking just seven months later.