Chelsea transfer targets: Sancho, Dembele & players linked with the club

Chelsea are free to explore their options in the transfer market this January following the lifting of their FIFA-imposed ban on signing players by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Blues boss Frank Lampard has thus far managed to get the best out of the squad available to him, elevating a number of former academy players to the first team, but he is in need of a personnel boost.

Areas of the team that are relatively weak include up front and the left-back positions, so the club hierarchy are eager to get their business done to help Lampard’s cause in the pursuit of glory.

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Goal will keep you on top of all the latest transfer news – with insight from our Blues correspondent Nizaar Kinsella – rumours and gossip regarding Chelsea’s targets right here with regular updates.

Contents

1. Top Chelsea transfer targets
2. Latest Chelsea transfer news & rumours
3. Potential Chelsea exits
4. Confirmed Chelsea transfers

Top Chelsea transfer targets

Jadon Sancho is at the top of Chelsea’s transfer wishlist and the Blues are understood to be willing to smash their transfer record in order to persuade Borussia Dortmund to let him leave.

The England international is in high demand and Chelsea will face competition from Manchester United, hence their willingness to splash out well over £70 million ($90m) for the winger.

Sancho’s close personal relationships with Chelsea players Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham, who he knows well from the England set-up, is believed to be a particular draw.

Ideally, the Blues would be able to secure the 19-year-old’s services in January, but Dortmund are resistant to the idea of losing a key first-team player at this point in the season.

RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is another one of Chelsea’s top targets as Frank Lampard looks to really boost his attacking options for the remainder of the campaign.

While Werner is open to the idea of leaving Leipzig and is understood to have a transfer release clause in his contract, he is believed to be content to postpone any such considerations until after Euro 2020.

Another attacker who is desired at Chelsea is former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele  and the Blues are willing to spend big to buy him from Lyon, with a fee in the region of €40 million (£34m/$45m) reported.

Lyon have, however, rejected reports that they are open to a sale, issuing a statement which indicated their strong wish to keep him at the club “for seasons to come”. 

Crystal Palace, meanwhile, will put up firm resistance to any pursuit of Wilfried Zaha and they are unlikely to budge from their asking price of £80 million ($105m).

Genk midfielder Sander Berge is also a Chelsea target, though the Norwegian has a long list of clubs tracking his availability, including Liverpool, Napoli and a number of other Serie A clubs.

England left-back  Ben Chilwell is highly regarded by Lampard too, but it is unlikely that Leicester City will be willing to sell, considering how important he is to Brendan Rodgers’ team.

Unfortunately for Chelsea, they look like they will miss out on Dinamo Zagreb’s Dani Olmo as Barcelona lead the race for the €30 million-rated forward.

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Latest Chelsea transfer news & rumours 

Chelsea prepare £48m Dunk bid

Chelsea are plotting a £48 million ($62m) bid for Brighton defender Lewis Dunk – according to the Daily Star.

Inter line up €10m Moses move

Inter have set their sights on Chelsea defender Victor Moses after a proposed exchange deal involving Matteo Politano and Roma’s Leonardo Spinazzola failed to materialise.

Full story from Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella here!

Liverpool ready to rival Blues for Werner

Liverpool are ready to rival Chelsea for the £60 million (€70m/$78m) signature of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, according to the Mirror.

Lampard warns against ‘knee-jerk’ January signings

Frank Lampard has warned the club against making “knee-jerk” additions to his side this month, and would be ready to compete for a Champions League spot without a major January signing.

“I think I should be because that’s where we’re at at the moment,” Lampard said whether or not he would be satisfied should Chelsea not sign anyone. “If it feels right for us, then we’ll do it.”

Check out the full story on Goal!

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Potential Chelsea exits

Marcos Alonso could be on the way out of Stamford Bridge, with Antonio Conte keen to bring the Spain international to Inter.

However, while Alonso would be open to a reunion with the Italian coach, it is understood that the Serie A giants could struggle to meet Chelsea’s asking price.

A Barcelona return has been touted for Pedro as the World Cup winner toils for minutes, though such a move seems unlikely given his advancing years. 

The winger is on the radar of Aston Villa as well as a number of clubs in Major League Soccer, including New York City and LA Galaxy.

It appears that Olivier Giroud is set for an exit and it could happen in January, with a number of clubs – such as Inter, Newcastle United and Lyon – in the mix. 

PSG are reportedly interesting in signing Blues 19-year-old Tariq Lamptey according to RMC Sport , though Nice are also understood to be keen on the defender as well.

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Confirmed Chelsea January window transfers

Chelsea signings

Chelsea departures

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