Chelsea are in a race against time as they look to complete late transfers ahead of deadline day. Having done very little throughout the first month of 2025, there are still deals in the pipeline.

So far, only Trevoh Chalobah has been added to the first-team squad. Outgoing moves have also been lacking despite a lot of noise around Carney Chukwuemeka, Joao Felix, and Axel Disasi.

With Enzo Maresca gearing up for a deadline day match at home to West Ham on Monday, February 3, there is an eager eye on what Chelsea get up to. The club still hold a strong interest in Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, for example.

READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news LIVE - Done deal, Nkunku to Man Utd twist, Felix to Aston Villa update

READ MORE: Chelsea transfer confirmed as third deal completed for Enzo Maresca in late window move

They are also long-term admirers of Brighton attacker Evan Ferguson. Both players know there is a spot in the squad for them. Ferguson, especially, would be in direct competition with Nicolas Jackson up front as he struggles in front of goal for confidence.

As for Garnacho, with the future of Mykhailo Mudryk in doubt following his suspension and Felix, plus Christopher Nkunku, far from certain to remain past deadline day themselves, let alone the summer, there is an open place on the left wing. Neither move will be easy, though, especially not at this stage.

If Chelsea want to have either player available to feature against West Ham then they will have to get a move on, as well. The league's registration window closes at 12pm on the day before a game, meaning they have until two hours before Garnacho is set to be in action for United against Crystal Palace to sign him. Highly unlikely is a massive understatement.

This means that Chelsea would need to reach an agreement, complete a medical, and sign their target in double-quick time if they are to add players to Maresca's squad for Monday night. Ferguson came off the bench for Brighton as they were ruined by Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Outside of that and there is a bit more leeway.

Chelsea have a free midweek before they travel to Brighton in the FA Cup next Saturday. Garnacho, if signed, would not be eligible for that match anyway as he is cup-tied having played for United in their third-round win over Arsenal.

His debut would have to wait until the following Friday, February 14, also away to Brighton. That is a Premier League fixture and would be the first chance for him to feature.

Ferguson, in theory, could play against his old team in the cup if a permanent transfer was completed. Otherwise, even if a loan deal was sanctioned, Brighton would have to give permission for him to be included against them as the parent club.

That would rule him out until February 22, when Chelsea travel to Aston Villa. Ferguson is not cup-tied due to missing the third round last month with injury. Brighton would need to give an exception for him to play in any competition if a transfer was to materialise, though.

For Chelsea it adds to the complications and the rush of the final 48 hours of the January window.