Chelsea transfer news: The Blues could complete three transfers before January as Boehly takes immediate action
Chelsea’s January transfer activity could get a major headstart as Todd Boehly moves with rapid pace to get Graham Potter’s side ahead of the competition. The new co-owners have been proactive in their bid to boost the speed of the squad overhaul by agreeing to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
With Potter needing players across the field heading into 2023 there is an expectation at Stamford Bridge that even the winter window will be busy, a break from the norm. That already looks set to happen after aggressive moves were made for young players worldwide.
Although teenagers aren’t likely to lead the Blues up the table quickly they offer a window into the vision of the club for future success. They also provide fans with a new set of players to be excited about.
On the list for the closest set of new recruits is Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos and Ivorian striker David Datro Fofana. The latter of those completed a medical with the club on Thursday ahead of an £8.6m move from Molde, whilst Santos will join the club for an initial £13m, which could rise to £20m with add-ons according to the Evening Standard.
Santos is just 18, whilst Fofana is 19. The pair are both part of the plan for a group of young players to come into their best years leading up to 2030, but their promise in Brazil and Norway respectively could also see them promoted in Potter’s plans sooner.
Boehly has already passed £52m on teenagers with Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei and Gabriel Slonina all summer buys. Fofana and Santos will take that number near to £80m, a serious early sign of investment in youth for a group of new owners.
These players could see their immediate futures lay away from SW6 though with Slonina, Casadei, Santos and Fofana all available on loan deals for the rest of the season to offer first-team football at senior level elsewhere.
