Chelsea and Todd Boehly are not messing about in 2023. As we creep towards the end of 2022, preparations for the new year are well underway at Stamford Bridge amid a major overhaul of Graham Potter's squad.
The Blues currently sit eighth in the Premier League table after 15 games and face a monumental task of finishing in the top four in May. There remains plenty of time for Potter's men to rediscover their form and they could be assisted by possible winter incomings.
football.london reported on Thursday that Chelsea had informed Benfica of their intentions to break their transfer record to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The Argentina international impressed during his performances at the World Cup and could be set for a January move despite only joining the Portuguese side in the summer.
READ MORE: Benfica manager Roger Schmidt makes honest Enzo Fernandez transfer claim amid Chelsea links
The midfield area is an area that Todd Boehly remains keen to strengthen amid the uncertainty of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho's future. The pair's current deals in west London are set to expire at the end of June and both are yet to commit their futures to the club.
Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice have both been long admired by the Blues but recent reports have claimed a move for Fernandez is on the cards for the January transfer window.
As they did in the summer, Chelsea have not placed all their eggs in one basket and have placed a number of midfielders on their transfer wishlist. The Athletic have reported that the club hold 'concrete interest' in Fernandez and Bellingham, with Rice, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia under consideration.
Caicedo's name has previously been mentioned in regards to a switch to Chelsea amid his relationship with Potter. The Chelsea boss signed the 21-year-old from Independiente del Valle whilst at Brighton and has gone on to attract plenty of interest from many of Europe's biggest clubs.
CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that Chelsea could make a move for the Ecuador international but would have to cough up around £70million-£75million. Premier League rivals Liverpool have also been linked with the midfielder amid their own hunt for reinforcements in the middle of the park.
Whilst the price may look expensive, a deal in that region would save Boehly £40million in comparison to the £105m release clause in Fernandez's contract at Benfica. Similar to Fernandez, Brighton will not entertain a cut-price deal and will inflate the price for their man after business conducted with Chelsea in the summer for Marc Cucurella.
READ MORE:
Reece James injury news: Angry message, what Chelsea boss Potter said, return date and timeline
Chelsea set for record-breaking January with Todd Boehly prepared to oversee squad revamp
David Datro Fofana breaks silence after Chelsea transfer as Todd Boehly acts quickly
Todd Boehly can complete Barcelona revenge mission with double Chelsea transfer option
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
