Chelsea are looking to hijack another London club's January transfer plans after the Blues identified Mykhaylo Mudryk and Marcus Thuram as winter targets. Both Thuram and Mudryk have been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal but now Todd Boehly is pushing for both to snub north London for west London.
The Blues' plans to attempt a hijack for Mudryk are known with Shakhtar Donetsk chief Darijo Srna meeting Chelsea representatives at Stamford Bridge before the clash between Chelsea and Man City on Thursday. However, a potential hijack for Thuram is new.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have 'opened talks' to explore a January deal for Thuram, who would be available via a free transfer in the summer if he were to not sign an extension at Borussia-Park. Boehly is set to be up against tough competition for Thuram's signature with 'many top clubs' - like Arsenal - in the race.
READ MORE: Chelsea to hijack another Arsenal transfer with striker deal after Mykhaylo Mudryk move
Thuram appears to not be the only recipient of an attempted hijack on a London club as, according to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Sporting CP star Pedro Porro has now emerged on the radar of the Blues after weeks of links with a January move to Tottenham.
football.london understands that Antonio Conte has two priorities in the January transfer window: to sign a new attacking player and a right wing-back. Spurs are said to hold strong interest in Porro, with Fabio Paratici a fan and according to Fabrizio Romano, the former Man City man, who has a £39.7million release clause, is understood to be keen on joining Tottenham in the January transfer window.
However, Chelsea could emerge as a potential suitor if his release clause is paid by the Blues with Sporting manager Ruben Amorim revealing that is the only way he will be sold in January. "What I was told is that he can only leave if the clause is triggered. And if the clause is triggered, there is nothing we can do," he said in a press conference in December.
The injury to Reece James suffered on Boxing Day after several months out with a knee injury suffered in October has given Graham Potter and Todd Boehly some food for though about identifying a suitable backup to James if his injuries persist.
Josip Juranovic, Nahuel Molina and Denzel Dumfries have all received interest from Chelsea with Porro the latest promising right-back to be scouted as a possible option for the Blues. His £39.7million release clause would likely solve any negotiation problems as paying it, as suggested by Amorim, would give Sporting no choice over where his future will lie.
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