January transfer window was a quiet one for Chelsea given their activities in the last few transfers windows. The Blues were in trouble as many of the first-team players were out with injuries and coronavirus.
Manager Thomas Tuchel also repeatedly emphasized that he needed more players in order to compete on all fronts. However, Chelsea somehow managed the difficult period without transfers as the club is still alive in the Champions League, FA Cup, and are in the final of League Cup.
Chelsea’s recent Club World Cup success has reportedly handed a transfer boost to Thomas Tuchel. The coveted trophy was the only missing one since Roman Abramovich took over the ownership. Since his arrival, Tuchel completed the trophy-set along with a Champions League and UEFA Super Cup. As a result, Abramovich is ready to back Tuchel in the summer transfer window for a number of signings.
Chelsea target Ligue 1 striker for summer transfers
Since the Chelsea manager is assured of full support from Abramovich, the manager has started outlining summer transfers. The first of those is 19-year-old Reims striker Hugo Ekitike. Many would have expected Chelsea to go for another big name, but the Ligue 1 striker has attracted their attention. The striker made his debut for Reims last season and so far has played 24 games for the club.
The teenager has an impressive record of 10 goals and 3 assists in those 24 games. Ekitike has cemented his place in the starting eleven of Reims, making 20 league appearances already this season. Moreover, reports have emerged that the Blues have lined up a €40 million bid for Ekitike. However, Chelsea will first have fend-off competition from Newcastle United, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund who have also shown solid interest in the striker.
Brazilian winger from fellow Premier League side wanted too
Leeds United’s talented winger Raphina has been now linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge for a long-time. The Blues have also registered substantial interest in the Brazilian and rumours were there that he was approached in January too.
Raphina rides at an immense pace to beat the opponents with his dazzling feet. He has displayed blistering form this season in the premier league in a struggling Leeds side. Speculations are growing about Raphina leaving this summer after he kept his extension offer from Leeds on hold. His current deal in Yorkshire expires in 2024 but he already is waiting for new challenges across Europe’s clubs. Liverpool and Bayern Munich are also in the race to sign Raphina. Raphina could rather also be an economic and opportunistic option, given his price tag of €40 million.
Bundesliga full-back on the Blues’ radar
Among other transfers, Stuttgart’s left-back Borna Sosa is also appreciated by Chelsea and is wanted too. The 24-year-old has attracted interest from Chelsea’s London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham too. Chelsea are ready to battle it out with the fellow Londoners for Sosa’s signature. Since joining Stuttgart in 2018, Sosa has provided an impressive 19 assists in 74 games for the club.
It is unclear when Ben Chilwell will return to action, and Tuchel is reluctant to fully trust Marcos Alonso. Amidst such a situation, Chelsea needs a player like Sosa who ticks all the boxes of Tuchel-model wing-back. Sosa still has three-and-a-half years left on his Stuttgart contract, but if Chelsea presents a serious offer, he may be lured to join the Blues. Though his market value is €20 million (per transfermarkt), Stuttgart have put on a price tag of €30 million on Sosa.
