Chelsea's dream January transfer window: Osimhen IN, Sterling OUT

Cameron Smith

• 22 Dec 2025 08:31 CST
• 4 min read

Analysis

Chelsea head into the January transfer window amid a political storm surrounding head coach Enzo Maresca and the club’s hierarchy.

The Italian seemingly took aim at the Blues’ owners following their recent victory over Everton and interest from Manchester City has added further fuel to rumours that he could be sacked in the new year.

Chelsea spent big over the summer and although they have been linked with a number of high-profile players in recent weeks, reports suggest the reigning Club World Cup champions will be fairly inactive in the market next month.

However, there are several positions that could be strengthened if the Blues decide to dip into their pockets in search of reinforcements.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through Chelsea’s dream January transfer window.

IN: Victor Osimhen

After being linked with a move for Victor Osimhen in 2024 and 2025, Chelsea ultimately decided against bringing him to the club this summer - largely due to his wage demands.

Instead, the Nigeria superstar completed a permanent move to Galatasaray and he has already scored 12 goals in 16 games across all competitions so far this season.

Centre forward still remains a problem position for Chelsea and adding a pure goalscorer like Osimhen to Maresca’s ranks would be a huge help.

OUT: Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling is destined to leave Chelsea in 2026, although the Blues will be desperate for him to depart in January after he rejected the chance to secure a transfer this summer.

The former England international has been forced to train alone since returning from an unsuccessful loan spell at Arsenal in July, with Maresca unwilling to bring him back into the first-team fold.

Proposed moves to Saudi Arabia and Turkey failed to materialise this summer due to Sterling’s desire to remain in London and this could prove to be a stumbling block yet again in January.

IN: Morgan Rogers

Morgan Rogers was identified as a top target by the Chelsea hierarchy over the summer, but a deal failed to take place as Aston Villa stood firm on their valuation of more than €100 million.

The England star’s immense form has continued this season and he is still admired by the recruitment team at Stamford Bridge as they continue their pursuit of a versatile attacker capable of being deployed in multiple positions.

A January transfer has been ruled out by Aston Villa, although a mid-season move would be a dream scenario for Chelsea as they look to compete for major honours during the latter stages of the campaign.

OUT: Axel Disasi

Just like the aforementioned Sterling, Axel Disasi has also been frozen out since his return to Chelsea following a loan spell away, although he has featured on two occasions for the club’s U21 side.

Multiple teams across Europe have registered their interest in signing Disasi next month, with Lyon and AC Milan among those eager to finalise an agreement with Chelsea.

The former AS Monaco star has no future at Stamford Bridge and the Blues are desperate to get him off their wage bill.

IN: Alessandro Bastoni

Chelsea opted to ignore Maresca’s request for a new central defender following Levi Colwill’s ACL injury in August and it has come back to bite them this season.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile have both fared poorly, Jorrel Hato hasn’t adapted to English football particularly well and is seen as a left-back by Maresca, while Josh Acheampong is yet to establish himself as a regular starter.

As a result, signing an elite centre-back would elevate the level of Chelsea’s starting XI massively and Inter Milan star Alessandro Bastoni is one of the best around. Plus, reports in Italy suggest that Chelsea scouts have been impressed by his form this season.

OUT: Mykhailo Mudryk

Mykhailo Mudryk’s Chelsea career has been an absolute disaster. Signed from under Arsenal’s noses, he was expected to be an immense hit at Stamford Bridge following a promising debut versus Liverpool, but Mudryk was soon regarded as a major flop.

He then submitted a positive drugs test in late 2024 and he hasn’t played a competitive match in over a year as a result of a football suspension.

The Ukraine star faces a possible four-year ban, although rumours suggest that his sentence could be reduced. If he is cleared to play, Chelsea will surely look to offload him off their books.

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