What sources say Chelsea could sign £50m star in January

A respected reporter for The Telegraph has shared what “contacts” have told him about the prospects Chelsea signing a Premier League star in January.

Enzo Maresca shares news about his January transfer to Chelsea

The west Londoners were strongly tipped to bring in a new centre-back this month, and were given the backing to do so long before Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile succumbed to injuries.

A very reliable Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips reported in early December that signing a new centre-back was the club’s top priority for this month, with the potential addition of a centre-back taking precedence over their pursuit of a new striker and left-back.

I like it Fabrizio Romano supported Chelsea’s serious interest in re-signing Marco Guehi in January also, even if it will not be easy to assemble, which makes the latest update from the manager Enzo Maresca quite surprisingly.

Speaking at his final pre-match press conference, the Italian tried to play down suggestions that his side are in dire need of another centre-half – perhaps looking to divert attention and pressure from Chelsea’s transfer chiefs.

“At this point I think we’re fine,” he said Maresca about Chelsea signing another central defender before January.

“Time [for Fofana] is between 12 and 16 weeks, which is three months, and the season could be over. If he comes back early, we’ll all be happy. [But] we have Benoit, who is close to returning, we have Josh who is doing well, Axel and Levi who can all do well in that position.”

Furthermore, Chelsea’s head coach refused to rule out a new signing in January – but insisted they must be of the right calibre.

“My message has been very clear since we started here – we will only sign players to improve what we have and improve the squad,” he said Maresca on January transfers.

“If we’re signing players just to sign them, it’s not worth it, so if we’re doing something, it’s because we think we’re improving and updating the squad.”

Chelsea are rooting for Bournemouth star Illia Zabarnyi

In building up to the window, Chelsea have been reliably linked with a move for Illie Zabarnyi from Bournemouth – and while Maresca say they don’t need a centre-back right now, you could make a good case that the Ukrainian would be an upgrade on their current options.

Unlike defensive partners Dean Huijsen and Marcos Senesi, who have been in and out of the starting eleven, the 22-year-old has been a constant presence in Andoni Iraola’s backline – starting all 20 Premier League games and averaging more shots per game. 90 than any other Cherries player (WhoScored).

This led to Bournemouth putting a £50m price tag on his head, but according to Matt Law of The Telegraph, Signing Zabarnyi for Chelsea this month is currently not seen as a possibility.

Speaking on the London is Blue podcast this week, Law said (via TBR): “Look, I’ll tell you my contacts, I’ve thrown names at them like Zabarnyi at Bournemouth. I’ve been told Chelsea like him but I don’t see them signing him this month.

“The Barcelona defender, is that Araujo? I threw it at someone and I was told, yes, we looked at him, but we don’t see ourselves doing that this month.

“So I don’t have the names exactly on the list, but there seems to be a list.”

Zabarnyi cost Bournemouth justly 23 million pounds to sign from Dynamo Kyiv in January 2023 and his value has doubled after an impressive two years in England.