The January transfer window is almost upon us and Chelsea are looking to make at least four signings to help boost Graham Potter's squad for the second half of the season.
The Blues spent almost £300million in total over the 2022 summer transfer window with seven first-team signings arriving at Stamford Bridge. However, numerous injury problems as well as a new head coach in Potter who wants to make his stamp on the squad means Chelsea are once again set to be active in the transfer market.
"There are lots of players who get linked to this club and I'd be wasting your time and mine if I responded to every one," Potter said about Chelsea's plan in January. "I always say the club's responsibility is to try and improve the team but my job is to try to improve the players we have here and the team. That is what I will be focused on."
READ MORE: Enzo Fernandez signs, Mateo Kovacic return: Graham Potter's dream Chelsea midfield after January
With talks ongoing over the future of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante, Chelsea are looking to bolster their midfield options next month. Both midfielders see their contracts expire at the end of the season, but over the last 24 hours it seems there has been a breakthrough in negotiations.
The Blues will look to add to their midfield regardless and Enzo Fernandez has been identified as the club's top target in that position ahead of January. The Benfica midfielder caught many people's eye at the recently-concluded World Cup, where he played a starring role for Argentina who lifted the infamous trophy in Qatar.
football.london understands Chelsea have informed Benfica they are willing to pay Fernandez's £105m release clause in his contract in January. The 21-year-old is said to be keen on a move to Chelsea, but the west Londoners' desire to pay the clause in instalments rather than a one-off sum could prove to be a stumbling block.
Such a fee for Fernandez would see Chelsea smash their transfer record – with Romelu Lukaku's £97.5m move from Inter Milan in 2021 still top of the pile. It's definitely one to keep an eye on but other clubs, such as Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester United, have also been credited with a keen interest in the Argentine midfielder.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are in advanced talks with AS Monaco over a deal to sign centre-back Benoit Badiashile. As football.london reported on Thursday evening, the Blues are progressing well in negotiations with the Ligue 1 club who want €45m (£39.8m) for the 21-year-old defender.
Personal terms have been agreed between Badiashile and Chelsea, with the Frenchman very keen on a January move to Stamford Bridge. However, a few details still need to be agreed between the two clubs but there is a general confidence the deal will be completed in the near future.
Chelsea are also looking to wrap up the signing of highly-rated Brazilian prospect Andrey Santos in the coming days. The Blues are yet to confirm the transfer for the 18-year-old from Vasco da Gama, but a deal is understood to be very close and he is expected in London in the coming days.
With Reece James now ruled out for a month, the time has never been more perfect for Chelsea to look at other right-back options. Celtic defender Josip Juranovic has been on the club's radar for a while now and an impressive World Cup with Croatia has only increased his reputation.
Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan has been a target for Chelsea in the past but after a superb World Cup campaign for the Netherlands, there is a feeling the Dutchman would not want to come to Stamford Bridge and play second fiddle to James. Sergino Dest is another one to keep an eye on with Chelsea having watched him in recent months.
football.london reported earlier this month that Joao Felix is someone who Chelsea have scouted recently but that is as far as their 'interest' goes at the time of writing. Felix wants to leave Atletico Madrid, who have offered the Portuguese forward to numerous clubs including Chelsea.
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