Chelsea are interested in adding quality to their team before the window closes.placeholder image
Chelsea are interested in adding quality to their team before the window closes. | Getty Images
Chelsea are believed to be interested in two rising talents from Ligue 1
Premier League heavyweights Chelsea have been uncharacteristically quiet in the January transfer window despite changing managers, with Enzo Maresca making way for Liam Rosenior.
So far the focus has been outgoings, with the club mutually agreeing to terminate Raheem Sterling’s contract after six months in the shadows while Facundo Buonanotte also left after a forgettable loan spell which saw him play just 45 minutes of top-flight football. Teenager Kendry Páez is also on the move, this time heading to River Plate on loan after failing to establish himself as a regular at RC Strasbourg where he played under the current Chelsea boss.
However, Rosenior is yet to make his mark on the Chelsea team with a signing, although it’s not been through want of trying based on the rumour mill. With that in mind, we take a look at two deals that could still be on the cards in the final days of the window.
Chelsea ‘interested’ in PSG wonderkid
Chelsea have had a passion for signing young talents since the Todd Boehly takeover, whether that’s to sell them on for a profit as we’ve seen with Noni Madueke and Renato Veiga or to develop them into future stars like Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandes.
PSG winger Ibrahim Mbaye could be the next, and according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, he ranks highly in their wishlist. Mbaye only turned 18 this week and his minutes are only going to steadily increase at PSG. So far this season, the winger has scored one goal and provided two assists in eight Ligue 1 starts.
He also enjoyed an excellent AFCON for Senegal scoring once and assisting twice for the eventual winners, raising his profile and perhaps his asking price. Whether Chelsea move swiftly or wait to launch a bid until the summer remains to be seen, but Mbaye certainly seems to be on their radar.
Chelsea remain keen to sign £65m defender
The 20-year-old centre-back is viewed as one of the best young talents in French football and has racked up 17 starts this season, being selected for every game that he’s been available for.
Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports, states Jacquet has expressed preference for joining Chelsea despite interest from other clubs. He’s reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Blues, but the difficulty remains agreeing a fee for the player, with Rennes reportedly demanding around £65m, according to Fichajes.
Chelsea are through to the last 16 of the Champions League and sit in fifth position in the Premier League after a strong start to the Rosenior era. They are competing in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup and still have the chance to win the FA Cup as well, meaning there’s a need for them to try and enhance their options before the window closes if they are to be competitive on all four fronts.
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