Chelsea and Crystal Palace will both look to strengthen their squads this winter.placeholder image
Chelsea and Crystal Palace will both look to strengthen their squads this winter. | AFP via Getty Images
This Chelsea and Crystal Palace swap deal could light up the January transfer window
The January transfer window is fast approaching, and that means an opportunity for Premier League clubs to add reinforcements to their squads ahead of an important spring run-in.
London rivals Chelsea and Crystal Palace have both enjoyed a solid start to the campaign but there are improvements still to be made. The Blues are third in the league table, but have lost disappointing home matches against Sunderland and Brighton and have a worrying disciplinary record. Whereas Palace have seen their early-season form begin to tail off in recent weeks, as the challenges of balancing the UEFA Conference League with their domestic campaign begin to become apparent.
Both clubs might look to bring in new faces in January to strengthen their squads in key areas of the pitch, with reports suggesting that a stunning swap deal could become a surprise possibility between the two London clubs as we approach the winter window.
Chelsea identify Adam Wharton as key transfer target
According to reports by TEAMtalk, Chelsea have lined up a three-man wish list as Enzo Maresca’s side look to secure another midfielder in January. The Blues feel that a high-profile midfield signing could be the difference as they aim to win trophies this season, amidst a minor injury crisis leaving them short of bodies in the middle of the park, while the Stamford Bridge outfit are determined to maintain their model of signing high-potential young players with significant resale value.
Nico Paz and Kobbie Mainoo are reported to be on the Blues’ list, but right at the top of it is Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton. The 21-year-old is fast becoming one of the most highly-coveted midfielders in Europe, as the Eagles man draws interest from the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid and more. Chelsea are now believed to be one of those in the race for the former Blackburn Rovers starlet.
TEAMtalk’s report states that Palace ‘remain resolute’ and are determined not to sanction a mid-season sale, with a nine-figure sum expected if the Blues were to come calling in January. The Eagles’ stance could be eased, however, should the west London outfit offer one of their own young stars in part-exchange for the star midfielder.
Chelsea could secure Wharton in Tyrique George swap deal
The Blues may have an ace up their sleeves in negotiations, amidst recent reports that Crystal Palace are interested in Cobham graduate Tyrique George. The 19-year-old forward came close to signing for local rivals Fulham on deadline day, but the move fell through and the teenager has retained a bit-part role for Maresca’s side so far this season.
The player is unlikely to be content with his current role, where he mostly plays in cup games and smaller European matches, while rarely appearing off the bench in the Premier League. With the wealth of young talent in front of him at Chelsea, Palace have afforded him a ‘transfer lifeline’, report The Mirror. A move could be set to be in the works as early as this winter.
It could be a genius piece of business if Chelsea were to offer George as part of a lucrative January move for Wharton. While the Eagles midfielder would command a large transfer fee on top of the value of George - who was set to sign for Fulham for £22 million in the summer - Palace might see the value in securing the swap deal while George is still available on the market. If they demand that the deal is off until next summer, their opportunity to sign the young forward might have gone. It remains to be seen if this intriguing deal becomes a possibility in the winter.
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