Chelsea are back in Premier League action this weekend as they travel to face Merseyside outfit Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
Enzo Maresca 's side have an opportunity to move top of the league standings with a victory, albeit only temporarily if current leaders Liverpool are able to secure a win against Tottenham Hotspur in the later kick off. That being said, the London club are enjoying a strong start to the season under the new manager as they find themselves in the midst of an unexpected title race.
The Chelsea boss also has an opportunity to strengthen his squad with the January transfer window right around the corner. So, Football.London have taken a closer look at the big news and rumours from Stamford Bridge...
Chelsea 'target' £41m defender
Chelsea and Tottenham are among the clubs targeting £41m Feyenoord defender David Hancko, according to reports. Outlet TEAMtalk claim a race for his signature is set to unfold in 2025, with the 27-year-old Slovakia international ready to test himself in a major league.
It has been suggested both Spurs and Chelsea are keeping tabs on the player's situation, while Italian side Juventus have also been credited with interest. The report indicated it will likely take a fee of around £41.4m to sign him from Dutch side Feyenoord.
What FL says: Chelsea have been linked with a whole host of defensive targets in recent months, so it's difficult to know which direction they will go in. Benfica's Tomas Araujo, Bournemouth's Illia Zabarny and Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande are just some of the other names to be mentioned in the media. It's also worth noting Hancko's age of 27 falls outside of Chelsea's recent transfer approach of signing young, promising talent.
Axel Disasi makes future decision
Elsewhere, while rumours surrounding defensive reinforcements intensify, current Chelsea star Axel Disasi has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks. However, a fresh report from the BBC's Nizaar Kinsella confirms the 26-year-old has no desire to depart Stamford Bridge in January.
Juventus and an unnamed German club had been linked with Disasi, but the article confirms the player is happy at Chelsea and is not expected to push for a move. He initially joined the club from French side Monaco for a fee of £38.5m back in 2023, and he has so far made over 50 appearances.
What FL says: It seems unlikely Chelsea would push for any defensive exits in the upcoming transfer window, unless major incomings were to come through the door. Wesley Fofana is expected to be absent until early 2025, while Benoit Badiashile has also joined the injury list and is anticipated to be sidelined for quite some time.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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