Hello and welcome to the football.london Chelsea live blog. We'll have all things transfers from Stamford Bridge as well as buildup to Saturday's meeting with Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola's side will be able to call on three new signings for the crunch top four meeting whilst Enzo Maresca continues to wait for much serious business to be completed. Chelsea are yet to change their squad outside of recalling Trevoh Chalobah.
An offer is being prepared for Alejandro Garnacho, football.london understands, which could significantly alter things, but Maresca has since said he is happy with his attacking options.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are reportedly considering an ambitious swap deal for Enzo Fernandez. The La Liga giants continue to assemble a new generation of Galacticos, and Fernandez is believed to be on their radar.
While it also being claimed that Everton are hoping to send Armando Broja back to Chelsea in exchange for another loan from Stamford Bridge. Midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka are claimed to be on David Moyes’s wishlist.
For the latest Chelsea news and transfer headlines, scroll down in our live blog below...
Chelsea monitoring youngster
Chelsea are reportedly monitoring South Korean prodigy Do-young Yun.
The Mirror reports several Premier League sides are keeping tabs with the 18-year-old including Brighton and Aston Villa. The report adds that his representatives were at Villa's training ground Bodymoor Heath for discussions earlier this week.
The South Korean U20 starlet would be a signing for the future whichever club he joins despite hitting four goals and registered six assists in all competitions last season. He is a left-footed attack and became the youngest player to represent Daejeon Hana Citizen at first-team level.
Joao Felix interest
AC Milan are reportedly interested in Joao Felix, claims Football Italia.
The report claims that Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez is their top priority but Felix has also been brought into conversation.
New Milan manager Sergio Conceicao is well familiar with Felix and would relish the opportunity to work with one of Portugal's talents.
Team news
Chelsea will look to seal back-to-back wins when they take on Man City at the Etihad (5:30pm kick-off).
Here's the starting XI.
Sancho decision, Palmer role, two leave - Dream Chelsea attack after Garnacho transfer
Enzo Maresca could see three major attacking changes take place before the January transfer window closes. The Blues have been very active throughout the winter trading period, but the recall of Trevoh Chalobah from his loan spell at Crystal Palace remains the only big deal completed this month.
Though the current issues appear to be in midfield and defence, Chelsea have mostly been looking at strengthening in attack. Mathys Tel, Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho have all been linked, but it looks as though focus is now firmly on the Manchester United star.
football.london understands that the Blues will make a bid in an attempt to try and sign Garnacho. Napoli have already seen an offer rejected by United but they are open to selling at the right price.
Read more about how Chelsea could line up in attack with Garnacho
Karim Adeyemi 'offer'
Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi reportedly has an offer from Chelsea on the table.
That's according to Sky Italia who claim the Blues are one of the clubs in the mix for the German star. Napoli have held talks with Dortmund as they look to sign a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratshkelia after he left for PSG.
"Adeyemi is the name chosen by De Laurentiis’s Azzurri, who are carrying out a double negotiation," Sky Italia claim. "We thought they had already abandoned Garnacho, but in reality, they haven’t actually done so. €52m is Borussia’s request, but Napoli wants to reach an agreement first with the German player, who has an offer from Chelsea and needs to think about it."
Paul Merson questions Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho interest
Former Arsenal star Merson believes Chelsea do not need to sign Garnacho given the options they already have available at the club.
Chelsea 'remain interested' in Jhon Duran
Chelsea are reportedly in contact with the agent of Jhon Duran.
That's according to Simon Phillips who suggests Chelsea have not given up on the idea of signing the Colombia international. It's said the club have 'reached out to a number of agents' and clubs regarding different striker names.
He adds that 'ideally' the Blues want to bring in a new striker during the final weeks of the window.
Christopher Nkunku shares update amid transfer links
Christopher Nkunku appears focused on Chelsea despite transfer links to Manchester United ahead of his club's visit to Manchester City.
Nkunku, 27, has not played in any of the Blues' matches in the Premier League this month, only being an unused substitute despite starting and playing the full 90 minutes in their FA Cup third-round tie against Morecambe at Stamford Bridge. A fortnight after that fixture, reports emerged on Friday that Man United is potentially targeting the player this winter transfer window.
It comes as football.london understands Chelsea are preparing an offer for Alejandro Garnacho. Hours after that speculation arose, Nkunku is one of several Blues players to share a matchday graphic ahead of their match against Man City.
The forward shared an image on his story on Saturday morning after posting two photos of him from training on Friday.
Real Madrid plot Chelsea move
The Spanish giants are reportedly preparing a surprise move for Enzo Fernandez, according to reports in South America.
Real want to secure Fernandez’s services though they do not wish to offer a transfer fee. It's said they want to negotiate a swap deal that would see Aurelien Tchouameni move to Stamford Bridge.
Benjamin Sesko 'decision'
Sesko has already 'picked' a move to Arsenal over rivals Chelsea, reports claim.
Arsenal appear to have the edge when it comes to striker and talkSPORT claim he has already picked Arsenal Chelsea and Manchester United. The Gunners are looking to sign a new attacker this month following the injury to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
Three new signings to play in Man City vs Chelsea as Maresca given £128m transfer headache
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City's three new signings could play against Chelsea. The Blues will lock horns with the Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they both look to climb the table.
Chelsea enjoyed a 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday night to retain their place in the top-four. Then, on Wednesday evening, Manchester City blew a two goal lead, losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
While the West Londoners have had a couple of extra days on the training pitch to prepare for this weekend's heavyweight clash, Guardiola has three new players at his disposal.
Read more about the three new City players
Chelsea eye future swoop for defender
Chelsea are one of the clubs 'monitoring' the progress of Murillo at Nottingham Forest, claims Spanish outlet SPORT.
Besides the Blues, Juventus and Barcelona are also said to be admirers of the Brazilian. Murillo signed a new contract extension with Forest until 2029.
Chelsea 'set' Christopher Nkunku transfer price
According to Sky Sports, Man United are showing a clear interest in Nkunku this winter as they look to solve their striker problems.
Sensing perhaps some desperation, the Blues are believed to have placed a £70m price tag on the Frenchman. Nkunku still has four-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge. He was purchased from RB Leipzig for £52m.
Why Joao Felix is not in Chelsea squad to face Man City
Joao Felix is not in Chelsea's 20-man squad for their Premier League match with Manchester City today.
The Portuguese has been granted compassionate leave and is set to fly home after a family bereavement, football.london understands. The Blues travel to the Etihad Stadium as they look to take a huge step in the race for the top four this season.
However, Felix won't be in Manchester with the rest of his teammates.
Chelsea offer Premier League rival choice of two midfielders as transfer plan emerges
Chelsea duo Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Carney Chukwuemeka have been offered to Everton if Armando Broja is going to be sent back.
The Toffees want to end Broja's loan at Goodison Park because he is out injured until April with ankle ligament damage. According to The Mirror, they want the Toffees to take one of their other surplus players.
Dewsbury-Hall, who made his first Premier League start of the season during Chelsea's 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday, and former Aston Villa midfielder Chukwuemeka have been proposed. Everton, however, would prefer a striker and are speaking to Chelsea about sending Broja back.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of his side's trip to Brighton, Everton boss Moyes said: "At the moment, I don't think there's a final decision that's been taken. But I think what you're suggesting in the conversations we've had is that is a possibility, but at this moment in time, it's not confirmed quite yet."
Axel Disasi latest
According to The Guardian, former manager Graham Potter, who has now taken up the role at West Ham, has no interest in signing Axel Disasi on loan this winter.
Enzo Maresca is understood to be keen for the centre-back to leave Stamford Bridge but it looks likely that the London Stadium is not his final destination.
Chelsea could complete five transfers before January window shuts
Chelsea could still complete six transfers before the January transfer window slams shut on February 3 - but that may not be as many as the supporters will have hoped for.
Enzo Maresca has a burgeoning squad at Stamford Bridge, and with the UEFA Conference League the Italian has managed his players extremely well. However, there are too many fringe players not getting minutes and many will be looking for a way out in order to secure more game time elsewhere.
It does not look like there will be too many incomings, with perhaps one signing to be made before February 3. Alejandro Garnacho looks to be the name most likely to arrive at Stamford Bridge, with the Blues keen to tie down a new left winger.
Matheus Cunha competition
Aston Villa are reportedly the latest team to join the race for Cunha amid interest from Chelsea.
Cunha has yet to sign a new deal with Wolves, but manager Vitor Pereira says he has had talks with the Brazilian about his behaviour and understands the forward has no plans to leave the club.
He said: "I have had a conversation with him and he is very committed to us. He never asked me to leave the club. He wants to help the team, be with us, to be with us tomorrow to try and win the game. He knows what I want from him as a captain. We had a conversation and everything is solid, he’s ready for the game. He’s my player, he’s not for sale, this is information from the club. He’s committed to us and what we need from him. He’s an important player for us."
Besides Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, Tottenham and Man United are also credited with an interest.
Christopher Nkunku swap deal?
Man United are reportedly 'seriously' interested in signing Christopher Nkunku this month.
Rejected bid
Chelsea have had an £8m bid rejected for Deportivo La Coruna winger Yeremay Hernandez.
The Blues' plan was to loan him to Strasbourg though the Spanish side are thought to have convinced the 22-year-old to remain at the club until the end of the season.
Napoli and Como are the Serie A sides that took an interest in him, while Newcastle United and Manchester City have also been alert to his situation.
Chilwell issue
After suggests of a move to Dortmund being hindered by his ages, Amie Wilson adds:
If Chelsea can move Chilwell on before the deadline, then it would be good for both the club and the player. He has played just 45 minutes of football so far this season, which could potentially put clubs off, with him possibly struggling for match fitness.
A loan deal would be the most realistic way of moving Chilwell on during January. Chelsea may have to also accept paying a portion of the full-back’s wages to facilitate a move.
Felix linked with United
Manchester United are said to have got in touch with Joao Felix's agent ahead of a possible move from Chelsea, according to Sportzine (via Givemesport).
It's added that United contacted Jorge Mendes earlier this week to discuss the possibility of the transfer. Direct contact with Chelsea is yet to take place.
Garnacho 'stance' emerges
According to ESPN, Alejandro Garnacho's preference would be a move to Chelsea should he be forced to leave Manchester United this month.
United boss Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a move away from Old Trafford over the coming days. He said: “I don't know what will happen.
"Let's focus on the team and the players that we have here. We don't know what can happen until the window closes. Anything can happen."
He added: “I'm focused on the games and he's [Garnacho] here, he's a player for Manchester United. Was really important for us today and let's see in the next days. I think he's improving in every aspect of the game. He was better today playing inside, also outside, changing positions, he's improving the recovering position.
“You can see it until 90 minutes he's always there recovering and helping, sometimes showing some frustration and that is good because he wants more. I think he has potential to be so much better in every situation in the game.
“What I can say is he understood what I was trying to do, was really clear, I just want to help them but in the end it's them that do the job.”
Everton Armando Broja transfer plan emerges
Everton are hoping to send Armando Broja back to Chelsea in exchange for another loan from Stamford Bridge.
The Liverpool ECHO is reporting that talks remain ongoing with Chelsea, who would need to be willing to cut short the loan deal for Broja return. B
But one possible solution that is being looked at is whether Everton could take an alternative player on loan from Stamford Bridge to compensate for Broja’s salary returning to Chelsea’s wage bill.
Carney Chukwuemeka and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, according to the ECHO, are understood to be among the players on David Moyes' radar, should a breakthrough be possible.
Real 'eye Fernandez swap deal'
Real Madrid are reportedly considering an ambitious swap deal for Enzo Fernandez.
According to Spanish outlet D Sports is claiming that the La Liga giants are prepared to offer Aurelien Tchouameni to Chelsea in an attempt to secure their vice-captain Fernandez.
However, the report also goes on to claim it seems highly unlikely that the Blues would entertain such a proposal, considering they only signed the Argentine international in 2023 for a hefty £107m.
Good Morning
Good morning and welcome to football.london's live Chelsea news and transfers blog. Stick with us throughout the day for all the latest Chelsea news and transfer gossip.
Garnacho signs, Santos returns, Delap bid made - Chelsea's dream end to window
When Chelsea entered the January transfer window there was a clear sense that little was to be expected. After all, led by the co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, the best part of £1billion had been spent in the previous two years to completely remake the entire squad.
Three weeks later and there has been both an alarming lack of action at Stamford Bridge and too much noise at the same time. Enzo Maresca's playing group still looks short in some key areas, as it has done since the summer, and those on the outside are yet to be given new homes.
Read more about how the window could end for Chelsea
Juventus 'deal done' after Chelsea agreement reached on move
Renato Veiga to Juventus is now reportedly a done deal.
Fabrizio Romano claims the move is set to be formally sealed after revealing on Wednesday that the two clubs had reached an agreement. Veiga is due to join on loan until the summer, with Chelsea receiving a £4.2million loan fee.
Man United 'target' Nkunku as 'talks held' amid Garnacho links
Christopher Nkunku is reportedly of interest to Manchester United this winter transfer window.
Sky Sports claims that intermediaries have held talks regarding a move. It is said Chelsea would only be tempted to do business for £70million as they do not want to sell.
