Football Manager predicts Chelsea’s January transfer window as £6.75m ex-Real Madrid man joins and Harvey Vale exits

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The January transfer window is now open and Chelsea are expected to make several moves over the next few weeks.

The Blues have already recalled Aaron Anselmino and Gabriel Slonina from Boca Juniors and Barnsley, respectively, but there will be plenty more business.

Enzo Maresca’s side would benefit from a central defender addition after the injury to Wesley Fofana and you can never rule out an unnecessary signing under the current ownership.

Here are the deals that Football Manager 2024 predicts Chelsea will complete in the window.

• READ MORE: Chelsea squad numbers 2024/25 with iconic shirt that Fernando Torres wore now available to January signing

Football Manager predicts Chelsea’s January sales

• Harvey Vale (Loan to Barnsley)
• Alex Matos (Loan to Port Vale)

Harvey Vale has been linked with a move to Sunderland in recent weeks so his departure from Stamford Bridge is certainly realistic.

The only surprise is that Chelsea decided to loan him out on FM when his contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Alex Matos came close to joining Getafe on transfer deadline day but the deal fell through. He has since been with the Blues’ under-21 team.

A January loan move would make sense for all parties – ahead of a permanent exit next summer – but Matos can definitely do better than League Two.

Football Manager simulates Chelsea’s January signings

Transfers IN

• Alvaro Barreal (£4.7m)
• Victor Chust (£6.75m)

These two transfers would represent a shift in Chelsea’s transfer strategy. It’s not very often that the Blues sign 24-year-olds, let alone for less than £7 million.

Alvaro Barreal’s best position is an out-and-out left-winger but he can also play as a left-back or an inverted winger on the right.

The Chilean, who spent the 2024 season on loan at Brazilian club Cruzeiro, belongs to FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer.

He is probably not up to the Blues’ standards but his 21 goal contributions in all competitions for Cincinnati in 2023 suggest he’s a decent player.

Victor Chust is another player who is unlikely to be capable of stepping up to a club with Champions League aspirations.

However, the central defender would at least fill a void in Maresca’s squad. The ex-Real Madrid man is comfortable playing out from the back with either foot.