Transfer Rumours: Chelsea eye January deal for Barcelona wonderkid as Fernandez replacement

11 Sept 2026 06:01 BST | 5 min read

Suraj Radia | Editor

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FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 11 September, including the latest updates on Marc Bernal, Sander Berge and Adrien Truffert.

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Chelsea eye January move for Barcelona midfielder

Chelsea are reportedly monitoring Barcelona’s Marc Bernal as a potential long-term replacement for Enzo Fernandez.

Bernal is highly-rated by Barcelona after coming through their academy but the 19-year-old is facing an uncertain future after the arrival of Rodri this summer.

Having slipped down the pecking order under Hansi Flick, GIVEMESPORT report that Bernal is considering his future at Barca, leading Chelsea to take interest in a January move.

Manchester United are also said to be keeping tabs on Bernal but the player is described as being more likely to join Chelsea if their current interest grows.

Arsenal and Chelsea battle for wonderkid

Arsenal are battling Chelsea to sign AIK teenager Kevin Filling, who is attracting interest from all across Europe after breaking into senior football in Sweden.

Filling is already a regular for AIK at the age of 17, having made 18 league appearances for the club last season and CaughtOffside report that scouts from Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Juventus have been spotted watching the youngster this season.

Arsenal and Chelsea are believed to see Filling a project signing, with Liverpool and Juventus also interested and reportedly viewing him as someone capable of eventually making the step between academy football and senior competition.

A package of around €20m-€25m, potentially including bonuses, a sell-on clause and even a loan back to AIK has been suggested.

Chelsea considered Berge transfer

Chelsea are reported to have considered a move for Fulham midfielder Sander Berge as a last ditch replacement for Enzo Fernandez before the transfer window closed this summer.

The Blues were scrambling for a replacement after Fernandez joined Manchester City, with a deal for Monaco’s Lamine Camara collapsing at the last minute.

A report from Norway claims that Berge was spoken about by Chelsea chiefs but they ultimately opted against a move after believeing that they had sealed a deal for Camara.

Berge was also considered by Manchester United during the summer but Michael Carrick’s side went for other targets, leaving the 28-year-old to remain at Fulham for the season.

Man Utd tipped to sign Truffert

David Ornstein believes Manchester United could be among the clubs that could look to sign Bournemouth defender Adrien Truffert next summer.

“Not many clubs recruited in that left-back position, which means there’s going to be a need on the horizon,” Ornstein told The Athletic FC Podcast. “Truffert has a really good age profile. He’s the sort of player that you could see moving.

“Manchester United were one team that we talked about with left-backs over the window, and there will be more. It is going to be an interesting one.

“I’m hearing a value of around £60 million and that there’s potentially a deal to be done next summer. I could see him being capable of playing for one of the biggest clubs.”