The January transfer window is heating up for Chelsea Football Club, as the deadline approaches and decisions become more urgent. According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea is one of four Premier League clubs eyeing Wolves forward Matheus Cunha. With less than two weeks left until the transfer window closes, clubs are expected to ramp up their activity, and Chelsea is no exception.
So far, Chelsea has remained relatively quiet during this window. They've recalled both Aaron Anselmino and Trevoh Chalobah from loan spells, as well as reaching an agreement worth €15 million with Strasbourg for Mamadou Sarr, who is set to join the team next summer. This moves come as the Blues bolster their defense following injuries to key players such as Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
Despite their defensive reinforcements, Chelsea is still searching for attacking options to support Nicolas Jackson. Although Jackson has scored nine league goals this season, he has not found the back of the net for six consecutive games. Chelsea has been linked with strikers Benjamin Sesko and Liam Delap, desperately needing to add firepower to their frontline.
Cunha, currently with Wolves, has become the focus of transfer rumors after impressing this season with ten goals and four assists across 21 league appearances. Notably, he scored a hat-trick against Chelsea last season, and with Wolves now hovering just above the relegation zone, his future remains uncertain. Chelsea's interest is palpable, but they face competition from several other clubs, including Nottingham Forest, Arsenal, and Tottenham.
While the Blues are eyeing new recruits, they are also open to offloading players. Joao Felix, who joined Chelsea less than six months ago, is reportedly available for transfer. His lack of playtime has drawn attention, and with Bayern Munich interested, Chelsea's £65 million asking price could deter potential suitors. Meanwhile, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's manager, indicated his team's willingness to part with Felix, reinforcing the Portuguese international's need for more regular minutes.
Adding another layer to Chelsea's transfer saga is Ben Chilwell, who, according to various reports, is on the verge of moving to Crystal Palace. The left-back's career has been hindered by injuries since signing from Leicester City for around £45 million. With his appearances limited to merely 45 minutes this season, Palace’s interest has grown as manager Oliver Glasner seeks depth at left-back. Maresca expressed sympathy for Chilwell’s situation, stating, "Ben has been top... he has been very professional. But I struggle to see Ben doing different kinds of things." This move appears imminent as both clubs are finalizing the details.
At Aston Villa, forward Jhon Duran is also experiencing transfer speculation. The Colombian striker is reportedly edging closer to £59 million move to Al-Nassr, as the Saudi club looks for new talent to partner with Cristiano Ronaldo. Duran's rise has attracted attention from several clubs, including Chelsea and Arsenal, following his impressive performances this season.
Unai Emery, Aston Villa's manager, remains optimistic about Duran's potential, noting, "My expectation of him is so high... We are working with him to exploit his capacity." Duran, who has netted 12 goals this season, is reportedly seeking more first-team opportunities amid his growing reputation.
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka is also linked with potential transfers away from the club, with Porto and Borussia Dortmund reportedly interested. Since arriving from Aston Villa, Chukwuemeka has seen limited action this season, making just five appearances. The strong competition for minutes among Chelsea's midfielders has led to speculation surrounding his future, with Porto reportedly making a straight loan offer for him.
Finally, Joao Felix's name continues to jump high on the transfer news list as he seeks more playtime. There are indications from Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio about AC Milan’s growing interest, increasing the possibility of Felix leaving Stamford Bridge before the window closes. Despite his impressive record of seven goals this season, the need for more consistent first-team action has fueled the speculation around his departure.
At the heart of these transfer updates lies Chelsea's overarching strategy—rebuilding under pressure with urgent moves before the window closes. The potential departures of key players might just create space for new signings as the team seeks to optimize its squad and address its performance issues. With the January transfer deadline looming closer, Chelsea's transfer activity remains one of the most talked-about topics.