The Blues head into the January transfer window knowing plenty of work may need doing with several members of their back line set to potentially leave the club next year
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Thomas Tuchel needs defensive reinforcements.
With contract rebels Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen looking no more likely to sign new deals keeping them at the club and their current contracts set to expire next summer, Chelsea are facing something of a defensive crisis.
Thiago Silva isn’t getting any younger and captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s current contract is also up next summer, which could leave the club scrambling to bring in new faces.
They’ve been linked with some big names, and although they are said to have a ‘head start’ over Manchester United in the race for one highly-rated centre-back, they have suffered a blow in their hopes of signing another.
Ahead of the January transfer window several players could yet leave, although one player looks increasingly likely to stay.
Here are all the latest Chelsea transfer rumours.
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Blues ‘reluctant to sanction deal’
Chelsea are keen to keep hold of Hakim Ziyech at least until the end of the season, it has been reported.
Speculation persists that the 28-year-old may be allowed to depart on loan during the upcoming January transfer window, with the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona both reported to be keeping tabs on his situation.
But Chelsea are said to be ‘reluctant’ to let the player leave on loan, The Telegraph reports.
Sule blow
Bayern Munich have handed Chelsea’s hopes of landing German centre-back Niklas Sule a huge blow after the Bavarian giants offered the defender a new deal.
The defender is out of contract at the end of the season but according to Bild, Bayern have made their first offer in an attempt to extend his stay at the Allianz Arena.
It could mean the Blues miss out on the centre-back, who has also been linked with a move to newly-loaded Newcastle United.
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Fofana ‘head start’
Chelsea have a ‘head start’ over Manchester United in the race to sign Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana, it has been reported.
According to Foot Mercato, the Blues have made direct contact with the 20-year-old defender’s representatives to discuss a possible move to Stamford Bridge.
United are also said to be monitoring the defender, but Chelsea can launch a ‘major new operation’ for the player and ‘have a head start’ after already making contacts with Fofana’s camp.
