Trevoh Chalobah to Chelsea return boost emerges as £20m transfer valuation set
Chelsea's busy January continues this week with two Premier League games against Bournemouth and Chelsea. The Blues cruised to the FA Cup fourth round with a 5-0 thumping of Morecambe to end their winless run.
Enzo Maresca's men hadn't won since December 19 and had gone four games without a win. The victory over Morecambe placed some much-needed confidence into certain players with some big games coming up.
Three games are penned in before February but there is also the January transfer window to contend with. Chelsea have been quiet, so far, but that could change in the final three weeks. Here, football.london brings you the latest transfer news and gossip from Stamford Bridge.
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Chalobah hint
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, currently on loan at Crystal Palace, was left out of the Eagles' FA Cup win over Stockport County due to a "contractual issue" amid reports the Blues want to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.
Injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile mean Chalobah has been linked with a possible return with the Blues said to be considering whether to trigger the option in his season long loan. Following the win, Oliver Glaner confirmed he was informed that the 25-year-old could not play on Sunday.
“It’s not easy to explain,” Glasner said. “It was a contractual issue, we had to take care. I’m not a lawyer. I was told that, in this round, it wasn’t clear, and it’s better [for him] not to play.”
He added: "Yes, I know he wants [to stay] and we want [him to stay]. But there are still 19 days to go in the transfer window. As always, anything can happen.
“But I know Trevoh wants to stay, I know Marc [Guéhi] wants to stay. Keeping the squad together and adding one or two signings is my wish. So I expect Trevoh to play at Leicester [City on Wednesday].”
football.london says: "This could be massive for Chelsea. The desperation for reinforcements in defence was softened at the weekend with Tosin Adarabioyo's brace and fine performance. But in the Premier League, Levi Colwill is Maresca's only available option.
"Fofana being out is huge so Chelsea will do everything in their power to strengthen. Saving money on Guehi and bringing Chalobah back is their best bet. He may have been zoned out by Maresca in the summer but he's shown his quality in the past."
Veiga decision made
Chelsea will only allow Renato Veiga to leave the club on a permanent basis in the January transfer window, according to reports.
The defender is said to have agreed to join Borussia Dortmund this month but it's understood that he will only be allowed to move to the Bundesliga if the £20million valuation is met.
He joined the club for £12m in the summer. Dortmund have been tipped to loan the versatile defender but it seems as though only a permanent move will be sanctioned.
football.london says: "One thing that Chelsea have got right, most of the time, under Clearlake Capital is their constant ability to sell players. A number of deals have not worked in recent years yet the club have managed to cash-in on them.
"Veiga has shown flashes of potential this season but his frustration over a lack of regular minutes is understandable. But Chelsea aren't expected to let him leave easily. Maresca clearly intends to use him so it's £20m or nothing.
"If Veiga does depart, you can almost guarantee that Chalobah will return."