7 months ago
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Chelsea have made a slow start to the transfer window after a record-breaking 2023 but business is expected to start ramping up.
The Blues spent a whopping £600million across two transfer windows last year, but their absence spending has slowed down.
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Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has still been urging Todd Boehly to keep his chequebook out after a difficult season.
However, the west Londoners clearly have an eye on financial fair play rules meaning there may be some outgoings before any new arrivals.
Ivan Toney
Brentford still have no desire to sell striker Toney this month, talkSPORT understands.
Chelsea-linked Toney has stated his desire to play for a 'top club' after serving an eight-month betting ban.
But the Bees see the 27-year-old England forward as a key player to keep them out of the relegation dogfight.
It took Toney just 19 minutes to find the back of the net in a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest as he converted a well-taken free-kick.
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Karim Benzema
Chelsea have been linked with big-money moves for Napoli's Victor Osimhen and Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, but either deal would be hard-pressed to complete this month.
This could instead see the club making a stop-gap signing, with Benzema, Roberto Firmino and Aleksandar Mitrovic offered from the Saudi Pro League, report the Daily Express.
Former Ballon d'Or winner Benzema seems the most likely, as he seeks an exit from Saudi Arabia having failed to settle at Al-Ittihad.
The 36-year-old has scored 12 goals in 20 appearances this season.
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Jarrad Branthwaite
Chelsea are among the clubs reported to have been interested in the Everton defender.
talkSPORT revealed this month that the Toffees face having to sell Branthwaite in the summer to avoid running into further financial issues.
Cashing in on the 21-year-old, who joined the Toffees from hometown club Carlisle as a teenager, would generate huge profits following the Merseyside club's latest charge for being in breach of Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are keen on Branthwaite after being left impressed with his performances for Everton.
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Jean-Clair Todibo
The 24-year-old is another defender Chelsea are said to be keen on, but Nice sporting director, Florent Ghisolfi, has stressed that the Ligue 1 club have no intention of selling.
Asked if Nice will resist approaches for Todibo, Ghisolfi told reporters: "Yes.
"As we’ve said since the offset, we are working on stability, and stability is keeping your best players.
"Jean-Clair and [Khephren] Thuram are definitely that, as players and as leaders as they are vice-captains. We absolutely want to keep them.
"I hope they speedily come back from suspension and injury and quickly bring their freshness, leadership and enthusiasm."
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Levi Colwill
Liverpool continue to monitor England international Colwill's situation at Chelsea, talkSPORT understands.
The Reds were interested in the defender in January and could renew that.
As Colwill is a homegrown player, all of his transfer fee would count towards their FFP balance sheet.
The same goes with Armando Broja and Conor Gallagher.
A £35m bid could be enough to see Broja leave, while stand-in captain Gallagher is valued at between £45m and £50m.
Conor Gallagher
Tottenham remain interested in Gallagher if Chelsea decide to cash in on the midfielder in January, talkSPORT understands.
Gallagher has worn the captain’s armband at times this season due to the absence of club skipper Reece James, and his vice, Ben Chilwell.
However, the former Crystal Palace loanee has long been on the chopping block if Chelsea need to cash-in to help fund further deals.
According to talkSPORT sources, London rivals Tottenham are ready to pounce if Gallagher comes on the market again, having been close to signing him in the summer when he was rated at £40m.
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Armando Broja
West Ham are interested in a move to sign Chelsea forward Armando Broja this month, talkSPORT understands.
Broja has endured a disjointed time at Stamford Bridge after suffering a serious knee injury in late 2022.
Missing much of the 2022/23 season, the 22-year-old returned to action in September but has been eased back into the fold in the months since.
So far this term, Broja has started just seven matches in all competitions, making 17 appearances in total and scoring just two times.
However, according to talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook, a permanent move seems unlikely this month.
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Speaking in his transfer round-up on Monday’s White And Jordan, Crook said: “The fee that I’ve been given in terms of the money that Chelsea want to recoup is £35million.
“Of course there was talk of £55-£60million for Broja last week – that always seemed a little bit fanciful.
“I’m just not sure that any of those clubs are going to put £35million on the table in this transfer window.
“Instead what we could see happen is a loan until the end of the season with an obligation, but I still think it’ll be dependent on Chelsea bringing in a reinforcement of their own.”
Also with Christopher Nkunku struggling with injury and Nicolas Jackson away at AFCON, Pochettino would need to have sufficient cover in place before allowing Broja to leave.
