Four transfer deals Marina Granovskaia could complete on deadline day for Tuchel
For Chelsea, the January window has been a period of quietness in terms of arrivals and even departures, with only a handful of players having left Stamford Bridge so far this month. In truth, that is expected to be a theme that continues throughout deadline day, with the focus firmly on the future of where young midfielder Billy Gilmour could end up.
The young Scotsman is poised to leave on loan for the remainder of the season, with both clubs in the Premier League and Championship chasing his signature on a short-term basis.
However, although no new arrivals are expected to arrive at Stamford Bridge today, things could change quickly, as we have seen in the past on deadline day.
In truth, Chelsea do not need to splash out massive amounts of money on the Hollywood signings they made during the summer in an attempt to give them the lift they need.
With the end of 2020/21 season now less than six months away, players abroad are free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with Premier League clubs ahead of joining them in the summer, should they fail to strike fresh terms with the club they are currently at.
Alternatively, if contract negotiations between the player and club are going nowhere, and a summer exit on a free transfer is likely, clubs may be willing to let them go before the January window closes and secure a small fee opposed to nothing.
Below are the transfer deals Chelsea could sign on deadline
Jerome Boateng: With Chelsea’s defensive fragilities of last season having shown signs of returning in recent weeks, head coach Thomas Tuchel may be keen to add a new centre-back to his ranks, especially with Fikayo Tomori currently on loan at AC Milan.
One player who could potentially interest Chelsea is Bayern Munich ace Boateng.
The Germany international, who has sampled Premier League football in the past, spending one season at Manchester City, is out-of-contract at the Bundesliga giants at the end of this current season.
He is yet to put pen to paper on fresh terms in Germany, meaning the current UEFA Champions League holders may be open to the idea of selling him this month to ensure they receive a fee. The Blues have expressed an interest in Boateng’s Bayern team-mate David Alaba recently.
Sergio Ramos: Another centre-back that Chelsea could turn to is Real Madrid icon Ramos.
The Spanish centre-back is yet to agree to fresh terms at the Bernabeu, suggesting that his 16-year stay with the Spanish giants could come to an end in the not too distant future.
He has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur recent weeks, amid claims that Jose Mourinho is keen to work with the experienced defender once again after his time in Spain between 2010 and 2013. But with Ramos now at the ripe old age of 34, Chelsea may wish to target a younger face who can become a mainstay in the Blues’ defence for years to come.
Angel di Maria: With goals having been an issue in recent weeks, Chelsea could be forgiven for wishing to bolster their attacking ranks before the window closes, despite signing Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Timo Werner last summer.
Despite spending more than £150million on the aforementioned trio, they have struggled to deliver the goods, certainly recently, that are expected of them. In a bid to decrease the pressure on their shoulders, the Blues could wish to turn to Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel di Maria, who has already worked under Tuchel, of course.
The Argentine is yet to extend his contract with the French giants, meaning he would be available on a free transfer come the summer. But with the former Manchester United man having not yet signed a new deal, PSG could be tempted to let him go this month in a cut-price deal if they do not feel confident that the right-winger would extend his stay in the French capital.
Memphis Depay: Another former Manchester United player that the Blues could turn to improve their attacking threat is Lyon ace Memphis Depay.
The Dutchman, who spent two years at Old Trafford, is out-of-contract at the Ligue 1 club this forthcoming summer and is yet to commit his long-term future to the club, meaning he could be the subject of interest over the coming months.
Although he failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford, Depay has excelled in recent seasons in France, scoring 49 goals in Ligue 1 since the start of the 2017/18 campaign.
As well as being capable of playing as the central striker, he can also drift out wide, handing Tuchel some versatility in the attacking department.