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Feature
- 10 minutes ago
Five players who could join Chelsea in January
Cameron Smith
- 1 Dec 2025 11:31 GMT
- 5 min read
News
Chelsea strengthened their squad with nine new permanent arrivals over the summer, but the Blues are expected to dip back into the market in January.
Enzo Maresca’s side are unlikely to sanction a plethora of big-money signings, however a number of stars have been heavily linked with a mid-season move to Stamford Bridge.
Below, FootballTransfers runs through five players who could join Chelsea during the January transfer window.
Current ETV
Kenan Yıldız
F, M (L)
Juventus
Kenan Yıldız
F, M (L)
Juventus
ETV Range
€62.7M - €76.7M
Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)
Chelsea were in the market for a new attacking midfielder over the summer and after missing out on Fermin Lopez, Morgan Rogers and Xavi Simons, they settled for bringing in Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, the Argentine isn’t a long-term fix and the club are eager to add a versatile forward who can cover multiple positions in 2026.
Juventus star Kenan Yildiz is currently Chelsea’s top target for that role and with contract extension talks stalling, he could be set for a big-money transfer next year.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Adam Wharton is being monitored by every top Premier League club amid his excellent development at Crystal Palace and Chelsea are among the teams interested in signing him next year.
The Blues wanted to land the England international during his time at Blackburn Rovers and widespread rumours have indicated that he is viewed as the club’s top midfield target for the January window.
Palace will be reluctant to sanction a sale mid-season, while Manchester United are also determined to finalise an agreement for Wharton’s signature. As a result, Chelsea will need to fork out a significant amount of money to agree a transfer.
Mike Maignan (AC Milan)
Chelsea opted against matching AC Milan’s €30m asking price for Mike Maignan this summer and the proposed transfer therefore collapsed, despite the Blues’ desire to reach an agreement.
Since then, Robert Sanchez has enjoyed an impressive start to the 2025-26 season and reports have suggested that Chelsea will refrain from signing a new goalkeeper for at least the next two transfer windows.
But, Filip Jorgensen is eager to leave the club in January in order to boost his chances of being Denmark’s number one goalkeeper at the World Cup and Maignan is seen as a likely replacement if the ex-Villarreal man departs Stamford Bridge.
Murillo (Nottingham Forest)
Murillo has been touted as a possible centre-back signing for Chelsea throughout 2025 and recent reports have speculated that a move could be pursued next year amid his eye-catching form at Nottingham Forest.
However, a deal is complicated by the fact his contract at the City Ground doesn’t expire until 2029, with Sean Dyche’s side expected to demand a fee in excess of €80m to sanction a sale.
Despite this, Murillo is one of several defensive targets eyed by Chelsea, with Marc Guehi also consistently linked with a return to Stamford Bridge.
Felipe Morais (Chelsea)
Reports from Brazil indicate that Chelsea have submitted a €10m offer for Cruzeiro attacking midfielder Felipe Morais as they continue scouting the best youngsters in world football.
He impressed at the recent U17 World Cup for Brazil and transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Chelsea are among the club’s tracking his progress.
However, even if Chelsea are successful in their bid to sign Morais in January, he will not be able to officially join the club until after his 18th birthday next August.
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