Chelsea's dream January transfer window with £80m signing and former star returns

Chelsea have plenty of big calls to make ahead of the January transfer window - with several big moves potentially on the cards

Trying to predict a Chelsea transfer window is almost always a fool's errand. Over the past few seasons, the Blues have swung erratically between eerie inactivity and frenzied, record-shattering spending sprees.

The success rate has been patchy at best as well. For every Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Anelka or Branislav Ivanovic, there has been a Fernando Torres, a Juan Cuadrado or a Mark Bosnich.

With the January 2026 window approaching, the pressure at Stamford Bridge is high. Chelsea have been ticking along nicely and have flashed moments that hint at a title challenge - yet they still clearly resemble a side under construction.

A combination of injuries and underwhelming performances has exposed worrying weaknesses and uncomfortable holes in Enzo Maresca's squad, issues that are becoming impossible to overlook. If Chelsea want to lock down a top-four finish - and maybe even chase trophies - firm and timely decisions will be essential.

Below, football.london examines what an ideal January transfer window might look like for Chelsea, assessing both potential signings and possible exits.

£80m Palmer backup

Cole Palmer's recent injury has served as a stark warning for the Blues. Although there is no shortage of attacking options, Chelsea are alarmingly short of true No. 10s capable of controlling games through the centre.

The club recently sounded out Bournemouth over Antoine Semenyo, but that interest now appears to have cooled, and understandably so - what they require is a refined playmaker rather than another direct runner. The perfect solution would be Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez.

Lopez was strongly linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge during the summer, but a move failed to come together. Since then, the 22-year-old has sparkled in La Liga, displaying precisely the creativity and goal threat from midfield that Chelsea are sorely missing whenever Palmer is unavailable.

He would not be inexpensive, with Barcelona reportedly demanding at least £80million - a staggering figure, yet potentially money well spent.

Liverpool move hijack

Few things enhance a transfer window quite like outmanoeuvring a major rival. Liverpool came agonisingly close to securing Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi last summer, only for the move to unravel late on.

It is now widely suggested that the Reds have a "gentleman's agreement" to sign Guehi on a free transfer once his contract expires next summer, but Chelsea possess the financial muscle to blow that strategy apart immediately.

With Levi Colwill still absent, Chelsea's requirement for defensive strength is pressing. Moving decisively in January with a sizeable offer could persuade Palace to cash in early, solving a short-term problem for Chelsea while simultaneously leaving Liverpool frustrated.

As a Cobham academy product, Guehi would settle quickly and his authority is precisely what a sometimes inexperienced Chelsea defence needs during the run-in.

Sterling shown the exit

A perfect window is not only about arrivals - it also involves clearing the decks. Raheem Sterling remains an awkward presence at Cobham. Despite being out of first-team contention for months, he is still contracted to the club, training away from the senior squad while earning huge wages that could be redirected far more effectively.

The scenario has become inconvenient for everyone involved. From Chelsea's perspective, offloading Sterling - whether via a reduced-fee sale or a loan that covers his salary - would be vital for restoring balance around the training ground.

Maignan in on a short-term basis

Chelsea's goalkeeping conundrum has dragged on for close to a decade. While Robert Sanchez has been pretty dependable this campaign, there remains a nagging sense that he falls short of the truly elite level needed for sustained excellence.

Step forward Mike Maignan. The AC Milan goalkeeper was a leading target over the summer, but Chelsea hesitated due to the asking price given his contract situation. Now, with Milan keen to avoid losing him for nothing, a discounted short-term deal - or even a brief loan, if a Chelsea move helps unlock a contract renewal - looks increasingly feasible.

It may feel unforgiving toward Sanchez, but Maignan delivers that extra five or 10 per cent - the vital stop that separates fourth place from fifth, or the match-winning intervention in a penalty shootout.

Importantly, a temporary solution aligns neatly with Chelsea's broader plans. The club holds enormous belief in 20-year-old talent Mike Penders, who is currently impressing on loan at Strasbourg. Bringing in Maignan would fill the gap for six, 12 or perhaps 18 months without obstructing Penders' long-term route to the No. 1 shirt.