Chelsea's January transfer plan confirmed

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Chelsea remain in the market for a new central midfielder and they are expected to pursue a deal during the upcoming January transfer window.

The Blues bolstered their midfield roster with the signings of Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson over the summer, but they sanctioned the sales of Andrey Santos to Manchester United and Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City, while Moises Caicedo has only played 14 minutes of action so far this term due to injury.

As a result, Xabi Alonso’s side have been left incredibly short in the middle of the park, with right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto both forced to play in central midfield already this campaign.

Chelsea failed to land a replacement for the aforementioned Fernandez on Transfer Deadline Day and they may look to fix this error when the winter window opens on 1 January.

That is according to Chelsea reporter Nizaar Kinsella, who told BBC Sport: “I can tell you with some degree of certainty that Chelsea are open to signing a midfielder in January.

“That position could change depending on whether they gain some stability in midfield when Moises Caicedo returns, or whether players such as Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Reggie Watson, both 16, are deemed ready by January to make an impact on the fringes of the first-team squad…

“It may be wiser to wait until the summer to add genuine quality rather than sign a short-term option. There are a lot of moving parts, though, and an injury or two could force Chelsea into the market.”

Who could Chelsea sign in January?

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is Chelsea’s primary midfield target and they are widely expected to pursue his signature in January, despite the Cherries’ reluctance to sanction a mid-season sale.

It’s understood that Bournemouth are keen to tie Scott down to a contract extension and rumours indicate that a release clause could be included in any new deal, with the England midfielder currently against the other idea of signing fresh terms.

Meanwhile, Chelsea also remain interested in AS Monaco star Lamine Camara following his failed move on Deadline Day.

AS Roma’s Manu Kone is on Chelsea’s radar too, while they have previously been linked with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Fulham’s Sander Berge.

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