CHELSEA will have at least £150million to spend in January after their transfer ban was lifted – with Frank Lampard hoping to turn his young bucks into genuine title contenders.
FIFA’s transfer ban prevented them from signing players in the summer, even if they brought in Christian Pulisic and made Mateo Kovacic’s move permanent regardless.
Zaha and Chilwell are both on the Blues’ shortlistCredit: Alamy Live News
Initially banned from registering new recruits for two windows, the Blues learnt that their ban had been reduced to one window by the Court of Arbitration for Sport this month.
Having turned a record profit for the club under Roman Abramovich, Lampard will be given more than the £133m raised to reinvest in the squad.
Here SunSport looks into who is top of the manager’s wishlist…
WILFRIED ZAHA
Arsenal and Everton failed with summer bids for the Crystal Palace winger but it could have been a different story had Chelsea been in the market.
In need of a rapid attacker to replace ageing stars Pedro and Willian, the Blues are considering an £80million bid for the Ivory Coast international.
And with Zaha denied a move after handing in a transfer request during the last window, Palace may have to make good on their agreement to accept a reasonable bid in January.
Zaha is still a popular figure at Selhurst Park despite his request to leaveCredit: PA:Press Association
BEN CHILWELL
Interest in the Leicester defender is high and Lampard has earmarked left-back as a key area for improvement.
Marcos Alonso’s Chelsea career appears to be coming to an end after the manager admitted he is leaving him out of the squad intentionally.
If the Blues want the defender this January they will have to fork out a big amount with £70m understood to be a minimum requirement for an opening bid.
RUBEN DIAS
Reports in Portugal claimed earlier this season that the Blues have been scouting Benfica avidly in recent months and standout defender Dias has caught their eye.
But the Blues might have competiton for the 22-year-old from former manager Jose Mourinho, who wants his compatriot to join London rivals Spurs.
Another of the Special One’s ex clubs Manchester United have also been keeping tabs on Dias – who may command an £80m fee.
Dias is just the latest star off the Benfica production lineCredit: EPA
KRISTOF PIATEK
Tammy Abraham has proved a revelation this campaign after being awarded the No9 shirt, but his form means both Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi are set to leave in search of first-team football.
One player who is set to become the object of Prem clubs’ desire is AC Milan striker Piatek.
The Polish star has struggled for goals this season with just four strikes in 16 games with the Rossoneri languishing in mid-table in Serie A.
HOUSSEM AOUAR
After Tanguy Ndombele banked Lyon over £60m from his move to Tottenham, the latest hot young midfielder coming through the Ligue 1 club is local lad Aouar.
Former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri was a big fan of the 21-year-old playmaker as he broke into Les Gones’ first-team.
And, of course, Chelsea could always repeat their Pulisic scheme and bag a youngster for the following season.
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is a transfer target for hometown sides Bilbao and Real Sociedad after blip in Blues form
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
