Chelsea can sanction Joao Felix swap deal for dream transfer as January move confirmed
Chelsea could sanction another three transfers in the final week of the January window, having just confirmed another big loan move. Trevoh Chalobah was the only senior player to have a switch made official as he returned to Stamford Bridge earlier this month from a temporary spell at Crystal Palace, but now another has been announced.
Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix and Carney Chukwuemeka could all potentially seal exits this month, while one of Alejandro Garnacho or Mathys Tel joining Chelsea is a serious possibility. The latest developments heavily involve Aston Villa, with Axel Disasi a defensive target for Unai Emery.
Felix is also seemingly back on Villa's transfer radar with Emi Buendia allowed to join Bayer Leverkusen and that has also seen Chelsea links to Jhon Duran return with it very clear that Enzo Maresca is keen to sign another striker. With that being said, football.london has taken a look at all the big Chelsea transfer news and rumours.
READ MORE: Chelsea now have unexpected £53m striker transfer chance as new January talks held
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Felix and Duran swap deal
Having agreed personal terms for Disasi, Villa are eyeing yet another Chelsea star in Felix. According to the Matt Law of the Telegraph, Emery still likes the Portugal international but would probably need to sell another player in order to sign him.
Enter Duran and Chelsea with two separate deals involving the former and Felix, something that could actually happen in the final week of the transfer window.
Though he only signed for the Blues this past summer, Felix has struggled for minutes, and parting ways with an attacking midfielder, which Maresca has plenty of, for another striker has to be considered.
football.london says: While this actually happening is unlikely, crazier things have happened in the closing moments of a transfer window.
It is also a deal that makes sense considering what it would give each club. Emery would have his Buendia replacement immediately while Chelsea could finally rest Nicolas Jackson and actually play Christopher Nkunku in his favoured position.
A sale on the books could also help Villa's financial position, with Chelsea clearly showcasing they have the funds to sign Duran.
Veiga Juventus move confirmed
Late on Monday evening, Renato Veiga's six-month loan move to Juventus from Chelsea was confirmed.
Despite interest from Borussia Dortmund, the Italian club won the race for his signature with the expectation he will play at centre-back. A permanent departure looked likely with Chelsea only open to that outcome initially, however, Veiga insisted he wanted to remain part of the long-term project in west London.
football.london says: While one defensive loan was ended by Chelsea, a different one has been sanctioned, and how it played out tells a significant story.
Regardless of Veiga's own wishes, his temporary departure being sanctioned right after Maresca saw his backline brutally exposed due to injuries was perhaps rather telling.
Though he has only moved elsewhere for the next six months, Chelsea have raised a considerable amount and will hope some strong performances increases his value ahead of what will likely be a permanent departure ahead of the 2024/25 season.