The January window is now in its final week and business is beginning to heat up around Europe, with Chelsea keen on doing business before the deadline
13:20, 26 Jan 2026Updated 13:21, 26 Jan 2026
Douglas Luiz
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Chelsea are interested in Douglas Luiz(Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto)
While Chelsea have decided to recall Aaron Anselmino from his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, the Blues' pursuit of a new centre-back has not ended.
It emerged on Sunday evening that Chelsea triggered a clause in Anselmino's contract with the German club and the defender will return to Stamford Bridge. Blues supporters may be wondering whether bringing the Argentine back midway through the campaign means the club's hunt for a centre-back is over, but that is not the case, football.london understands.
Chelsea remain very much in the race to sign Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, though there is said to be competition from Liverpool and Bayern Munich for the 20-year-old's signature. It is said that Jacquet has already given the green light over a move to west London.
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When the Blues entered talks with the French club, the west Londoners' intention was to bring Jacquet to Stamford Bridge immediately. However, Rennes are reluctant to lose the highly-rated defender midway through the season so a move in the summer now seems more likely.
Sources told football.london last week that Chelsea were considering all options when it comes to signing Jacquet. Como defender Jacobo Ramon and Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi, whose contract at the Vitality Stadium expires at the end of the season, are both on the club's radar this month as well.
Chelsea are looking to bring in a starting-level central defender. Last summer, the Blues were keen on doing that, even before Levi Colwill's ACL injury, though after missing out on Dean Huijsen, the club opted against moving for a centre-back as they did not believe that anyone available for sale was a clear upgrade on what Enzo Maresca had in his squad.
Colwill remains a huge part of Chelsea's plans moving forward despite the club's hunt for a new centre-back. The England international's rehabilitation process is understood to be going very well but no timeframe has been put on the 22-year-old's recovery as the club look to handle the situation in the best possible way.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have been in talks with Juventus over recent days regarding a move for midfielder Douglas Luiz. The Brazilian is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest but the Blues are considering hijacking the deal as they look to provide Liam Rosenior with more options in the centre of midfield.
Dario Essugo has recently been ruled out for at least a month after an unfortunate injury suffered in training, while Rosenior refused to put a timeframe on Romeo Lavia's return. The Belgian suffered an injury in Azerbaijan back in November and has not played since.
Luiz is an option for Chelsea, though the west Londoners want a straight loan deal until the end of the season with no obligation to buy the former Aston Villa man. Chelsea have other options on their radar, though they have not been named just yet.
Tyrique George could leave the club this month but nothing is imminent on that front. The 19-year-old is keen on departing Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis and Chelsea will not stand in the Cobham graduate's way should the right move come along.
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George has keen admirers from the Premier League and elsewhere across Europe. As does Josh Acheampong, his close friend, who is a long-term target for Bayern Munich. Acheampong, though, is extremely highly-rated by senior officials at Chelsea, who will not entertain offers for the talented 19-year-old defender.