Romano confirms Chelsea transfer plan as two players targeted

Chelsea youngsters Alfie Gilchrist and Harvey Vale are attracting January interest, but the former is not on the market, according to Fabrizio Romano.

It is set to be a relatively quiet January transfer window for Chelsea once more. After the record-breaking spending of 2023, the Blues made no signings in 2024 and this trend could continue in 2025, with Enzo Maresca generally content with his squad.

It could be a different story on the outgoing front, however, with several players linked with a winter exit. While the Stamford Bridge club are unlikely to sanction a genuine mid-season exodus, some fringe players could indeed depart.

Five Chelsea players who could leave in January

Primarily, it will be young prospects who are to leave the club in a bid to secure regular game time elsewhere, with first-teamers Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei all but guaranteed to head for the exit.

A few more prospects, including U21 star Harvey Vale and loaned-out defender Alfie Gilchrist, are also attracting attention.

Chelsea set Gilchrist stance

The latter is enjoying a brilliant spell at Championship side Sheffield United, who are currently level on points with league leaders Leeds United. Gilchrist is a regular under Chris Wilder and this has attracted the interest of Premier League clubs, with some keen on a permanent transfer.

However, according to Ben Jacobs and Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea believe that the best course of action would be for the 21-year-old defender to see out the season with the Blades rather than join a new club in January.

Maresca heaps praise on ‘fantastic’ Chelsea target

The same seemingly can’t be said of Vale, who has spent most of the campaign with the reserves but was recently afforded some opportunities in the Conference League.

According to Jacobs, the versatile midfielder has suitors at Anderlecht, Heerenveen and Sunderland and a loan away would make sense for the 21-year-old.