Chelsea plotting 'sensational' £125m transfer raid as perfect Wesley Fofana partner emerges

Enzo Maresca and Chelsea continued their remarkable start to the 2024/25 Premier League season with a 2-1 win over Leicester City.

The result, which saw Maresca and Wesley Fofana enjoy a joyful return to the King Power Stadium, means the Blues remain in the top four places. Manchester City's defeat to Tottenham means Maresca's men are only one point off second spot.

After a troubling two years at Stamford Bridge, the feeling is positive at Chelsea. Obviously, Leicester were poor. In fact, they were that bad, Steve Cooper has since lost his job, but there is something positive growing in west London.

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Attention turns to Thursday night as Conference League football returns with a trip to Germany to face Heidenheim before three tough fixtures await them in the league in Aston Villa, Southampton and Tottenham.

Here, football.london has a roundup and look at the latest news around the club.

Double Barcelona raid

Chelsea are preparing for the January transfer window and are reportedly keen on upgrading one key position: defence. Against Leicester, Levi Colwill partnered Benoit Badiashile in the heart of defence but according to TEAMtalk, two players are being targeted.

The report states that the club hierarchy are ready to sanction a joint bid worth £125m for Barcelona defenders Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde. Both players have been on the Blues' radar before and the report adds that Barca's financial situation could open the door to a move.

football.london says: "The January window is never, normally, used to spend big money. But as Chelsea fans will remember, two years ago, Todd Boehly and Clearlake spent big to bolster the squad.

"However, £125m is a lot of money and it's difficult to see why Chelsea would sanction this deal. It would be sensational for them to break the bank for two players. Fofana and Colwill have been solid in defence and the likes of Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo are more than capable back-ups. The money is better spent elsewhere."

Tottenham battle for Tah

Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly battling with Barcelona to sign Jonathan Tah. According to Fichajes, the Bundesliga winner is attracting interest from a number of clubs with his contract expiring in the summer.

In January, Tah will be able to agree a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of Germany. The report states that Bayer Leverkusen are unwilling to sell him in the January window meaning Chelsea could improve their defence for free.

football.london says: "Now this is the sort of deal that Maresca will be a fan of. Signing Tah on a pre-contract agreement would make so much sense with the options in that position now and the uncertainty over the futures of Axel Disasi and others.

"At 28, Tah is in his prime and his experience, at no cost, would be perfect. Chelsea fans will love the idea of a back four containing Fofana and Tah. Getting Champions League football could be crucial in this."