Chelsea midfield target is now ‘real option’ as last-minute deadline day signing, he would solve Enzo Maresca’s biggest problem

Add as preferred source on Google

It looks as if a midfielder has emerged as the top target for Chelsea in the final hours of the January transfer window.

The Blues are set to part ways with Carney Chukwuemeka today, as he completes his medical in order to move to Borussia Dortmund for the rest of the season.

It has reportedly already been decided that they will not be keen on bringing back either Andrey Santos or Lesley Ugochukwu, despite impressing in their respective loan spells.

Chelsea made a late move to sign Nico O’Reilly from Manchester City, with him finding Premier League appearances hard to come by in a similar way to how Cole Palmer was a couple of years ago.

However, the Blues have been pushed back in their efforts to sign the central midfielder, and they are now targeting a new midfielder today.

Chelsea have interest in deadline day move for Mathis Amougou

Despite not being mentioned by name, the Blues have been strongly linked with the signing of Mathis Amougou from Saint-Etienne.

The Blues are willing to pay £13m for the young midfielder, and they could accelerate their efforts to get a deal done to today.

Simon Phillips has claimed that their interest in completing the signing on deadline day is real, with it being a possibility in the final hours of the window.

He said on his Substack: “The interest in Mathis Amougou from Saint-Étienne is legit and he’s a real option for today.

“However, source also says it’s possible we sign a midfielder today from a club ‘we’ve already been talking to’ recently this window. Makes me hope for a Douglas Luiz as we loaned Juventus Renato Veiga. But source also mentions Dortmund. Not great info I know but it’s something for now.”

Maresca has been forced to play Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in near enough every game this season, with there not being much faith in the other available options.

Romeo Lavia has unfortunately been unable to shake off his injury problems this season, and this has left the manager scrambling for options at times.

Mathis Amougou’s career so far

Amougou has become a regular at Saint-Etienne despite being just 19-years of age, getting involved at both ends of the pitch to great effect.

There are a number of young midfielders who have been starring in Ligue 1 this season, with Amougou amongst Santos as the best performers.

The prospect of both being at Stamford Bridge as soon as next season is now very real, and very exciting for the future of Chelsea.