Chelsea identify Alexis Mac Allister as Enzo Fernandez alternative, could hijack Arsenal’s Mykhailo Mudryk move

Chelsea’s ambitious plans revealed

The Guardian reveal that Chelsea could sign up to three first-team players in the January transfer market. Chelsea’s main target is Benfica’s World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez but the west London club could turn to his compatriot Alexis Mac Allister, should Fernandez prove to be too expensive. Benfica have confirmed they will hold out for the 21-year-old’s whopping £106-million release clause. The report also states that Chelsea are currently closing in on signing Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile and could hijack Arsenal’s move for Shakhtar Donetsk’s highly-rated winger Mykhailo Mudryk.

Paper Round’s view: Chelsea aren’t messing around in January. The Blues are not enjoying the current campaign and are sitting in eighth in the Premier League after 15 matches. It’s debatable whether Fernandez or Mac Allister would be game-changing signings for them in January. Badiashile will definitely help relieve some defensive stress as veteran centre-back Thiago Silva cannot play every week. But apart from that, it’s clear that Graham Potter’s squad is lacking a goalscorer. Chelsea have scored fewer league goals than Erling Haaland has this season. Forget the focus on strengthening the midfield. Go and make signing a striker the priority.

Chelsea launch ‘substantial’ Fernandez bid

The Mail report that Chelsea have launched a “substantial offer” for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The World Cup winner has an eye-watering release clause worth £106 million, but the report reveals that Chelsea are hoping to pay in instalments instead of up front. Benfica have insisted that they will only sell in January if a buyer activates the whopping release clause, but Chelsea will be hoping that their “substantial” bid will open the Portuguese club to negotiations. Fernandez has been offered an extension to stay in Lisbon, but it is said that the 21-year-old would be open to joining Chelsea in the winter window. Liverpool, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all interested in the Argentine too, but cannot afford his asking price.

Paper Round’s view: Chelsea will have to offer a very enticing bid to try and lure Benfica into negotiations. The Portuguese club were strong in their initial statement, which said they would be unwilling to budge and only accepting bids that activate Fernandez’s release clause. But – as we all know – money talks. Fernandez has just come off the back of a very impressive string of performances at the World Cup in Qatar and it is very likely that he will leave Benfica in the summer, if he does not move in January. Chelsea are definitely trying to get ahead of the game – and their rivals – by making their move in January. Will it be worth it? Time will tell. Fernandez has only played six months of football in Europe and Benfica will be looking at a huge profit thanks to Argentina’s World Cup win.

Marsch eyes Wober reunion at Leeds

Leeds United are in the market for a new centre-back in the winter transfer window and the Telegraph report that Jesse Marsch will look to reunite with Red Bull Salzburg defender Max Wober. The 24-year-old joined the Austrian club from Sevilla in 2019 and is reportedly willing to join Leeds in January. Red Bull Salzburg are willing to negotiate a deal worth £14 million and Wober’s versatility also appeals to Marsch, as he can also feature at left-back.

Paper Round’s view: Leeds have conceded 29 goals in just 15 matches so far this season in the Premier League so it’s no surprise that Marsch is keen to improve his defensive options. Wober is a player who the American coach has worked with before, so he knows what he is getting. Marsch obviously trusts the 24-year-old. It obviously helps that he can play in multiple positions and that he has featured in the Champions League this season – so has proven he can do it at the top level. £14 million is a very decent price for a Champions League-level defender in the January market.

The Jimenez era is nearly over at Wolves

Wolves will allow Raul Jimenez to leave the club in January – if they sign another striker to replace him. The Mail reveal that the 31-year-old has attracted interest from clubs in the United States and his home nation of Mexico. Wolves are willing to sell Jimenez as his current deal is set to expire in 2024 and he is also one of the highest-earners at the club. However, he will only be allowed to leave if new boss Julen Lopetegui succeeds in signing a back-up to recently-arrived Matheus Cunha, who joined on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Paper Round’s view: Wolves have struggled with a consistent goalscorer for a while. The problem started because they were so reliant on Jimenez and it showed when he suffered a terrible collision with David Luiz in November 2020, which saw him fracture his skull. Thankfully, Jimenez has returned to action, but he has failed to rediscover his previous levels of form. Wolves will be keen to shift him on due to his huge salary and the fact that his sale could help raise a bit of cash in the January window.