Jeremy Jacquet might be the only signing Chelsea push for in the January window, but if history is anything to go by, Chelsea will go much heavier in the summer.
Last summer, Chelsea spent the best part of £300m on 10 new signings, including strikers Joao Pedro and Liam Delap as well as wingers Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho. In the summer, more are expected.
If a centre-back is being signed this month, then other areas of the squad will be strengthened before the start of the 2026-27 season. Especially, if Chelsea manage to qualify for the Champions League next term.
What’s an acceptable transfer fee for Enzo Fernandez? 💰
Enzo Fernandez rumour graphic
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A new striker is likely to be at the top of the agenda. Joao Pedro has been good since his arrival but Liam Delap has struggled, with Liam Rosenior forced to answer if Delap is struggling with a lack of confidence.
David Ornstein suggests Chelsea target could end up at Arsenal
Chelsea are also likely to be in the market for a goalkeeper in the summer, but a new striker will surely be high on the agenda. Emmanuel Emegha is set to join the club from Strasbourg at the end of the season.
Galatasaray A.S. v Atletico de Madrid - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7
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But, Chelsea lack a striker they can rely on to score goals regularly. One with Premier League experience, and that is why Chelsea have been linked with Atletico Madrid’s World Cup winner Julian Alvarez.
Speaking on Sky Sports this week, David Ornstein claims Arsenal tried to sign the £81m Atleti signing in the summer. He claims that it is easy to see Alvarez returning to England and joining Arsenal this summer.
“Arsenal considered Alvarez in the summer. His name came up. You could see that sort of player coming into Arsenal. If there’s going to be outward manoeuvring, then there is definitely scope for an arrival.”
Enzo Fernandez would love Chelsea to sign Julian Alvarez
Fernandez is a player that is being linked with the exit door and yet, Chelsea have to do their utmost to keep him. PSG want Fernandez, while the player himself is looking to open contract talks to stay.
Julian Alvarez, Dusan Vlahovic and Jean Philippe-Mateta could all be available in 2026. Who would you like to see Chelsea sign?
Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Marc Guiu did not convince at all in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth
Julian Alvarez playing for Atletico Madrid
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If Chelsea want to avoid losing Fernandez, or the midfielder’s head being turned by a move to PSG, then bringing in a player he’d like at Chelsea would help. Well, Fernandez has made it clear he’d like Alvarez.
Asked which of his Argentina teammates he’d like at Chelsea, Fernandez picked Alvarez: “Julian. I talk to Julián often, even more so now. We’ve shared youth teams, reserve team, the national team, River Plate.”
Enzo’s £107m move to Chelsea remains a club record. Realistically, if anyone is going to buy Alvarez in the summer, the chances are that it will be close to Fernandez’s fee. Alvarez has a deal until June 2030.
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