It has been a quiet window for Chelsea so far with transfer talk mainly focusing on the pursuit of a new left-back, however, with injures and fatigue setting in focus will be shifting to other areas of the team.
It is well documented that Cesar Azplicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen's contracts are up in the summer and the search for a new centre-half will be an interesting plot to follow for the remainder of the January window.
Here is your evening update bringing together the main transfer talking points from Stamford Bridge.
Who:
Matthijs de Ligt
Where:
What:
Chelsea are reportedly willing to go 'all in' to sign former Ajax man Matthijs de Ligt from Italian giants Juventus to the tune of meeting his asking price of £54m, which has been set by his agent Mino Raiola.
The centre-half has endured patchy form in Turin with the club at somewhat of a crossroads, but what lives in the memory are his inspirational performances as a 19-year-old at Ajax where he helped them to a Champions League semi-final.
While it is unlikely that all three of Azplicueta, Rudiger and Christensen will leave the club, there is certainly need for investment and de Ligt remains one of Europe's hottest talents at just 22.
According to La Repubblica, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are both interested in the Dutchman, who has 34 caps for his country, meaning that a January transfer could be the best option to secure him.
Who:
Ousmane Dembele
Where:
What:
Thomas Tuchel has addressed talk that he could make a move for former player Ousmane Dembele this January with the cryptic message that it is 'better not to talk' about the French winger.
Tuchel and Dembele spent a season working together at Dortmund and with Barcelona looking to offload players due to their recent financial struggles, a move for Dembele could be in the offing.
When speaking to reporters ahead of his side's game against Tottenham this weekend, Tuchel said: "He is in a situation. I have absolutely no idea why he is in that situation and I have no idea what the situation and detail is.
"I know how I feel about it when it is about my players so it’s better not to talk."
Dembele has been told he can leave Barcelona this month after rejecting all offers of a new contract and the Catalans' are looking to cut their losses on a player who cost them £105m back in 2017.
After Barcelona’s defeat to Athletic Bilbao this week, manager Xavi said he agreed with the club's willingness to listen to offers for the 24-year-old.
"Dembele is important, but it is a club decision and we all agree on it," he said. "I don’t think his absence has impacted the team."
