05 January 2023 , 04:30
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Chelsea are preparing for the huge challenge of facing Manchester City on Thursday night, but they are also extremely busy behind the scenes.
The Blues are on a rotten run of form in the Premier League, with one win in seven games following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, and that has sparked Todd Boehly into action. Midfielder Andrey Santos and striker David Datro Fofana have already arrived from Vasco de Gama and Molde respectively, and bigger moves are in the pipeline.
Enzo Fernandez is the principal target for Chelsea, who could be about to break the Premier League transfer record for the Benfica midfielder. But they are also involved in the other big transfer story at the moment, with Mykhaylo Mudryk’s move to Arsenal not a done thing.
Here are all the latest transfer stories involving the Blues.
Blues complicate Mudryk picture
Arsenal have always been in pole position to sign Mudryk, who is their primary target this month. But Shakhtar Donetsk are playing hardball and, after rejecting bids of £55million and £62m, they are sticking to their £85m valuation.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Shakhtar’s stance has been strengthened by late interest from Chelsea, who are muddying the waters. The Ukrainian club have sent director of football Darijo Srna to London for negotiations.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have held talks with Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin, according to the Evening Standard. Arsenal are still considered favourites for Mudryk, but things are far from over, with the Blues loitering.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Chelsea push to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk as well as Enzo Fernandez? Comment below.
Fernandez boost
Chelsea are closing in on signing Enzo Fernandez (Getty Images)While they are meddling in Arsenal’s affairs, Chelsea remain focused on signing Fernandez. The 21-year-old World Cup-winner is determined to join Graham Potter’s side this month and has told Benfica of his desires.
According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Fernandez told Benfica’s head coach, Roger Schmidt, on Tuesday and that prompted president Rui Costa to change his stance and agree to the sale in January, rather than in the summer.
Super-agent Jorge Mendes has travelled to London to finalise negotiations with Chelsea, who are willing to break the Premier League transfer record by paying £112m for the Argentina star.
Kante pondering Saudi offer
N’Golo Kante is free to talk to other clubsDespite the potential arrival of Fernandez, Chelsea want to keep N’Golo Kante and Jorginho and are working on new contracts for the duo.
Both midfielders are in the last six months of their deals and are therefore able to speak to other clubs outside of England. They are locked in negotiations with Chelsea, as Barcelona and Napoli snif around Jorginho.
The Italian international is happy to stay at Chelsea, if they agree to increase his salary from £120,000 a week to £150,000 a week. Kante’s situation is a bit more complicated, due to his £290,000-per-week salary and his recent injury problems.
Nevertheless, Sport says that Kante has been offered an “astronomical” amount by Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, who want him to join Cristiano Ronaldo at the club. Barca are also monitoring the Frenchman’s situation.
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