Chelsea could sign a defender this monthplaceholder image
Chelsea could sign a defender this month | Getty Images
Chelsea could get the opportunity to strengthen their back line with an experienced defender.
Chelsea will be on alert after one of their reported targets was made available for transfer, according to a fresh report. The Blues have begun a new era after appointing Liam Rosenior to replace Enzo Maresca, and they have so far won one and lost one.
Rosenior is now preparing to take charge of his first Premier League clash this weekend when Chelsea take on West London rivals Brentford. In the meantime, the January transfer window continues to play out, and much of the talk surrounding Stamford Bridge is related to exits.
The likes of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi need to find new clubs, while Facundo Buonanotte will be sent back to Brighton early, with the Blues agreeing to end his loan spell for him to join Leeds United and play more regularly.
Chelsea could yet make a signing this month, but exits are going to have to happen first, as was the case in the summer due to Financial Fair Play restrictions. One player Chelsea have been linked with previously is FC Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo.
The centre-back has been a Barca regular through the years, but Hansi Flick is now reportedly willing to sell him. Araujo has only made seven LaLiga appearances so far this season, though the Barca vice-captain has been dealing with fitness issues.
According to Fichajes, an exit could be on the cards, and Chelsea are said to hold an interest, while Liverpool have also been mentioned as potential suitors. If Chelsea make a signing, they are expected to prioritise the centre-back position given their lack of elite quality there, especially in the absence of Levi Colwill through injury this season.
Whether Barca are willing to sell Araujo in January rather than the summer remains to be seen, with Flick potentially prioritising depth for the coming months, even if he is willing to sell the Uruguay international.
Barcelona are currently three points ahead of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga, so it would be risky to sell such a senior player with two league titles in the past at this juncture. Araujo is under contract until 2031.
Interestingly, Araujo was linked with an exit last January, and back then, Blaugrana president Joan Laporta said: "We want every player we have in the squad to continue, they're all useful.
"Araújo has a contract and I want him to stay. But certain circumstances have come up - which I won't go into because I don't know everything -- and he's talking with the sporting director [Deco]. We value him a lot on a professional level, but above all on a personal level. There's time to find a solution that is satisfactory for everyone."
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