The January transfer window is meant to be a relatively quiet period for clubs, isn't it? Todd Boehly clearly did not receive the memo.
We're three days in to the 2023 January transfer window and Chelsea have already completed one signing, with David Datro Fofana arriving from Molde, and their business is far from done there. There are multiple players all being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge as Graham Potter looks to make his mark on the squad he inherited from predecessor Thomas Tuchel.
Social media seems to be the hub of all transfer news and rumours and it can be difficult to keep up with all of the goings on sometimes. So, with that said, football.london is bringing you the latest state of play regarding Chelsea in the transfer window.
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Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal with Benfica to sign Enzo Fernandez, football.london understands. The Blues are willing to pay around €127million (£112million) on the 21-year-old, who is understood to favour a move to Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez did not train with his Benfica teammates on two separate occasions last week, but the Argentine returned to training on Tuesday and took part in the session. The midfield is a priority for Potter and Fernandez has been identified as a long-term solution to the club's problems in that position.
The Argentina international played a huge part for his country in the recently-concluded World Cup. He starred for the South Americans, who lifted the famous trophy for the third time in Qatar.
The structure of the deal is the aspect holding an agreement up. Chelsea want to pay the £112million fee in annual instalments because of their intention to stay within UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules. There is, however, a confidence from the Chelsea camp that a deal for Fernandez can be concluded successfully.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Benoit Badiashile from AS Monaco. football.london understands the 21-year-old central defender was in London on Monday to complete the early stages of a medical. He is set to wrap up the necessary medical examinations today (Tuesday) with the club hoping to announce his signing very soon.
The Blues agreed a €38million (£33.8million) deal with Monaco over the weekend for Badiashile, who will sign a six-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge. If Chelsea manage to wrap up deals to sign both Fernandez and Badiashile, on top of the £8million they paid for Fofana, then the club will have already spent more than £150million this month. And they aren't done there, either.
Chelsea are still looking for cover at right-back for the injured Reece James. The England international was ruled out for up to a month in late-December after limping off with a knee injury in the 2-0 win against Bournemouth.
The club have numerous right-backs on their radar, including Josip Juranovic, Denzel Dumfries, Sergino Dest and Tino Livramento, although a move for the latter of the four would not be until the summer. For all of the names mentioned, though, they would have to accept that when James is fit, he is very likely to be Potter's first-choice in that position. Nothing is advanced at the time of writing for a new right-back to come through the door.
Finally, Andrey Santos of Vasco da Gama is very close to completing a move to Chelsea. The young Brazilian has spent the last few days in London where he has completed a medical with the club ahead of a move from his homeland.
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