Chelsea are set for a hectic end to the month as Todd Boehly looks to enjoy every last day of January transfer window. The Blues have welcomed seven players to Stamford Bridge as Graham Potter looks to further strengthen his side.
Malo Gusto, who has returned to Lyon on loan for the remainder of the season, joins Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos. But, the American billionaire wants an eighth and he's said to be chasing a deal for Enzo Fernandez in the eleventh hour.
A move has previously collapsed when Benfica stood by their €120million (£105m) valuation, his release clause — a figure which Chelsea were not prepared to meet. But, with the club in desperate need of a new midfielder amid the uncertain futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, there seems to be a fresh urgency to wrap up a deal — whether it be Fernandez or even Moises Caicedo!
So, with that being said, follow all the latest transfer news and updates from the Blues in our dedicated football.london live blog right here!
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Good night
That is all from us here at football.london for today. Be sure to join us again tomorrow on deadline day as Chelsea will undoubtedly be working to wrap up any last-minute deals!
Rui Costa stopping Fernandez transfer
Chelsea are still working to agree the transfer of Enzo Fernandez with Benfica after abandoning plans to sign Brighton star Moises Caicedo.
An offer has been submitted from west London which will see the Portuguese club receive the fee in instalments as opposed to his release clause in full.
Benfica chief Rui Costa remains as the main opposer of the deal heading into deadline day.
PSG and two other clubs eyeing Ziyech deal
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech looks likely to leave Stamford Bridge on deadline day with a number of clubs interested in his services.
According to the Athletic Paris Saint-Germain have now been joined by two other Champions League sides who want to sign Ziyech. The French champions are said to be discussing terms for an initial loan with an option to buy.
Chelsea sanctioning Jorginho exit
Chelsea could offer Arsenal a surprising solution to their midfield problems with Jorginho now close to joining the Gunners.
An injury to Mohamed Elneny has left Arsenal light in the middle of the park and a move for their number one target Moises Caicedo looks difficult to complete and the Italian has now been identified as an alternative.
Aguero delivers Fernandez transfer verdict
Former Manchester City and Barcelona striker Sergio Aguero believes Enzo Fernandez has already proven he can play in the Premier League. football.london understands Chelsea have held fresh talks with Benfica over a move for the Argentina international as they look to secure a £115million deal for the midfielder.
The Blues have shown a willingness to pay Fernandez's £105million release clause with reports suggesting the club are open to paying £10million more in order to structure the payments over a series of separate instalments - opposed to one lump sum. The 21-year-old has already agreed personal terms and is prepared to travel to London to complete the necessities ahead of a move to Stamford Bridge should Benfica accept Chelsea's offer.
Read the full story here
Chelsea chiefs travelling to Lisbon?
Chelsea chiefs have previously travelled to locations where the Blues are trying to secure players from.... and there's a flight to Lisbon taking off this evening
Paris Saint-Germain hoping to sign Hakim Ziyech
Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech could leave the Premier League before transfer deadline day and join Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain.
That's according to L'equipe who report that discussions are taking place between the two clubs, though a deal is not completed yet. Their report also states that the Moroccan international is keen on the move.
The latest on Jorginho's transfer future
Arsenal are considering a move for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho football.london understands. The Gunners are in the market for a midfielder before the January transfer window closes on Tuesday evening following a long-term injury to Mohamed Elneny.
Their number one target has been Brighton's Moises Caicedo who they have bid twice for. The Seagulls though are unwilling to sell and have rejected both offers despite the Ecuador international's public plea for a move on social media.
Read the full story here
Chelsea plotting Moises Caicedo move
Chelsea are edging closer to securing a deal for Enzo Fernandez from Benfica after re-opening talks last week.
The Blues looked to have abandoned all hope of signing Moises Caicedo after Arsenal registered their interested and subsequently submitted two bids for his services.
According to the Guardian, upon wrapping up a deal for Fernandez, Chelsea could push to sign Caicedo as well.
Arsenal can offer Chelsea January windfall
Arsenal and Chelsea looked set to be battling it out for Brighton star Moises Caicedo until the end of the January transfer window. However, Chelsea can now instead sanction the Gunners' move for a Caicedo alternative.
Chelsea can sign their own Zidane
Representatives from Chelsea held a crucial meeting with counterparts from Benfica this morning (Monday) as the clubs discuss the possible sale of Enzo Fernandez.
football.london understands a meeting was held this morning in Portugal with the Blues looking to wrap up the deal that will cost them around £105million. Chelsea are willing to pay the release fee, albeit they would rather do it in multiple instalments, and are confident a deal can be agreed.
Read the full story here
How Conor Gallagher can help Chelsea with Enzo Fernandez transfer
Chelsea have spent more than any other Premier League club in the transfer market since Todd Boehly's arrival at Stamford Bridge. After forking out close to £300million last summer, the Blues are edging closer to repeating that feat before the January transfer window slams shut.
The west London outfit have secured seven new signings this month as Graham Potter continues to overhaul his squad heading into the second half of the season. The new owners want to fast track the club's adjustment period under Potter as they look to get their season back on track and rescue a top four spot come the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
Many arrivals have taken place to help that bid, while departures have been minimal, however they could be key in the latter stages of the window that would allow the Blues to afford Enzo Fernandez. Speaking on the Football Daily podcast by BBC, David Ornstein explained how Chelsea could even register a profit this window with just one sale. "If Chelsea were to sell a homegrown player for £40million for example, it’s immediate profit on the books as Chelsea haven’t paid a transfer fee for him," Ornstein explained.
Read the full story here
Chelsea aiming to repeat Mudryk plan
Chelsea are now throwing all their efforts into signing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica, deploying a similar tactic they used to secure the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk earlier in the window.
Chelsea and Benfica in crucial Enzo Fernandez meeting
A deal being agreed between Chelsea and Benfica for Enzo Fernandez appears to be edging closer with just under 30 hours of the January transfer window remaining...
Benfica 'agree' £114million deal
Benfica have €120million Fernandez incentive (£105.4m)
Chelsea are said to be growing in confidence that they can agree a deal with Benfica for the transfer of Enzo Fernandez.
Pressure is being applied by the player and some Benfica board members with the decision resting firmly at the feet of Rui Costa. If a deal is not sanctioned in January, the Blues are unlikely to come back in for Fernandez in the summer where a new FFP ruling in place and the latest offer of £105.4m could convince the Portuguese club to sell for that very reason.
Benfica chief makes major decision
Fernandez makes training decision
Chelsea heading back in to negotiations with Benfica for Enzo Fernandez late into the January transfer window has prompted the midfielder to make a huge decision in an attempt to force the move.
Fernandez plan revealed
According to the Guardian, Chelsea want to pay Benfica in six instalments for the transfer of Enzo Fernandez.
A £105million offer has been tabled by the Blues and background staff members are said to be considering travelling to Portugal to try and speed up the deal.
Football finance expert explains Chelsea profit with Gallagher sale
Despite spending over £200million in the January transfer window, Chelsea could be set for a profit if one key departure is sanctioned.
Conor Gallagher stance
Everton are understood to have approached Chelsea with an offer worth £45million for Conor Gallagher – but a mid-season switch to Goodison Park is not expected to appeal to the midfielder.
There has been speculation over Gallagher's future throughout the transfer window. football.london revealed earlier this month that both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace had expressed an interest in taking the midfielder on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Read the full story here
Enzo Fernandez and Benfica board members pushing for move
Benfica chief Rui Costa could be the man to prevent Enzo Fernandez from joining Chelsea in the January transfer window. There is pressure now from many angles in the hopes he will change his stance and sanction a move.
Chelsea hold Enzo Fernandez hope
Chelsea have switched their focus back to Enzo Fernandez in the last 48 hours after Brighton remained unchanged on their Moises Caicedo stance after a second offer from Arsenal was rejected.
And their latest offer could be enough to pry the World Cup winner away from Portugal...
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Andrey Santos decision
One of Chelsea's first January signings, Andrey Santos, will soon learn what his immediate future will hold once he returns from the U20 World Cup.
Graham Potter's Gallagher stance
Following Everton's bid for Conor Gallagher, Chelsea face a difficult decision to make, although it seems Graham Potter has already given his verdict on a departure for the English international.
Read more here
