Fabrizio Romano has shared some transfer news concerning Chelsea this week, as Enzo Maresca’s side take a particularly keen interest in one highly-rated player from an elite European side.
Chelsea make January transfer plans amid weaknesses in key areas
The Blues ended last summer’s window as one of the Premier League’s highest spending teams, but somehow managed to register a profit by selling a plethora of unwanted players.
|
The Premier League’s biggest summer spenders |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Team |
Spent |
Received |
Net Spend |
|
Liverpool |
£415,000,000 |
£187,000,000 |
£228,000,000 |
|
Chelsea |
£285,000,000 |
£288,000,000 |
-£3,000,000 |
|
Arsenal |
£255,000,000 |
£9,000,000 |
£246,000,000 |
|
Newcastle |
£250,000,000 |
£152,000,000 |
£98,000,000 |
|
Man Utd |
£216,000,000 |
£68,000,000 |
£148,000,000 |
|
Nottm Forest |
£205,000,000 |
£107,000,000 |
£98,000,000 |
|
Tottenham |
£181,000,000 |
£36,000,000 |
£145,000,000 |
|
Sunderland |
£162,000,000 |
£44,000,000 |
£118,000,000 |
|
Man City |
£152,000,000 |
£53,000,000 |
£99,000,000 |
|
West Ham |
£124,000,000 |
£55,000,000 |
£69,000,000 |
|
via BBC |
|||
Chelsea brought in a host of attacking stars in that time, sealing deals for the likes of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Facundo Buonanotte.
However, despite making attempts to sign a new goalkeeper and star centre-back, Maresca’s side came up short in that regard.
Chelsea held talks to sign AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan, who wanted to join the west Londoners, but couldn’t agree on a price. Meanwhile, defender Dean Huijsen was also subject to an offer from Chelsea, according to reliable media sources, only for Real Madrid to eventually win the race for Bournemouth’s once-coveted starlet.
With Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah unavailable for their vital Premier League clash against Liverpool this weekend, BlueCo’s failure to sign a centre-half in particular is now coming back to haunt them.
Jorrel Hato can play at the heart of defence when required, but is primarily viewed as a left-back to cover Marc Cucurella.
That being said, due to their major shortage of options, Maresca will have little choice but to play the Dutchman alongside Benoit Badiashile against Arne Slot’s side on Saturday.
Chelsea want to address the centre-back problem in January, and it is believed that they’ve reached out for talks with Marc Guehi’s camp this week as they attempt to gauge the feasibility of a cut-price winter deal (Simon Phillips).
Guehi would be the perfect option with his contract expiring at the end of the season, potentially meaning he’s available for a very attainable fee next window, but it remains to be seen whether Oliver Glasner would sanction his exit midway through the campaign with Palace flying high right now.
Chelsea are also ready to go back in for Maignan and sign the Frenchman on a pre-contract in January (Graeme Bailey), so it appears Maresca’s side are very aware of their defensive frailties as they make transfer plans for early 2026.
That isn’t to say they haven’t still got their eyes on further attacking upgrades, though, with Juventus star Kenan Yildiz believed to be attracting real attention from Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea “very” interested in signing Kenan Yildiz
The Turkey international was Juve’s star player last season, bagging 12 goals and nine assists in all competitions, and the Old Lady are well aware of growing interest from England.
Yildiz has continued that fine form in a second striker role under Igor Tudor this term, with two goals and four assists in seven games already.
Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel in Italian, says that Chelsea are “very” interested in signing Yildiz, but Juve are planning to negotiate fresh terms and keep him out of Premier League’s clutches.
“If Yildiz had wanted to move to the Premier League, I assure you he could have done so at the start of the transfer window,” Romano said.
“Chelsea have always been very interested, and the Premier League’s interest remains because Yildiz is a fantastic player, so it’s normal to see the attention of the big clubs.
“But Juventus, as I said, is working on a renewal and is optimistic; they want to reach a solution as soon as possible to ward off any other temptation for a champion like Kenan Yildiz.”
The 20-year-old fits Chelsea’s recruitment strategy down to the ground as one of Serie A’s rising stars, and they will undoubtedly continue to keep tabs on his exploits.
That being said, Maresca’s far more pressing issue is the gaping holes in his defence, so that should absolutely take priority over a move for Yildiz right now.
