Chelsea have been dealt a major blow in their quest to cash in on academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah in the January transfer window. The centre-back has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and all parties are in agreement that a permanent move is the best option for the defender.
Following a poor start to the season, the Blues are expected to splash the cash in January and have identified several departments that need significant investment. Mauricio Pochettino is keen to bring in a new No 9, another fullback and a centre-back, though further acquisitions should not be ruled out either.
In order to fund the continued rebuild whilst remaining within the parameters of Financial Fair Play, Chelsea must also sell several players to balance the books and increase their current transfer budget.
Chalobah is among the stars expected to leave the club, with the defender yet to make a competitive appearance under Pochettino. However, the 24-year-old’s extended absence has handed Chelsea a significant problem.
With Chalobah now ruled out until 2024 through injury, The Mirror report that Bayern Munich and Tottenham have both cooled their interest in the versatile centre-back and are actively exploring alternative targets. Both sides are weary of the centre-back’s injury struggles and are not willing to take the lucrative risk.
Chelsea agreed a deal worth £25million with Nottingham Forest for Chalobah over the summer, but the player snubbed a move to Steve Cooper’s side in favour of trying to break back into the Blues’ starting XI. An offer in a similar region is expected to be accepted by Chelsea, though it is unclear whether any side is willing to fork out such a fee for a player who has not made an appearance since pre-season.
Inter Milan, AC Milan and RB Leipzig have registered an interest in signing Chalobah previously and are continuing to monitor his situation closely, though they could also be deterred by his fitness struggles. A lack of interest could prompt Chelsea to drop their asking price, though that would, of course, impact their spending.
Newcastle could be tempted to throw Chalobah a lifeline given that they are looking to sign a defender in January, though it remains to be seen whether the Blues would be willing to strike a deal with a Premier League rival given that both clubs could be competing for the European spots towards the end of the season.
