Sources have told ChelseaFC365 that the scouting team have been working over the last weeks to formulate a list of midfield targets which has been handed to the recruitment team, we do not believe these are strictly limited to January.

ChelseaFC365 reported on 11th January that the club made an enquiry for Moises Caicedo, since then, Chelsea made an official bid of 55m pounds last week which was turned down. Caicedo remains the priority this window but there is a feeling as with Enzo Fernandez that this deal will only happen if Chelsea get their way in negotiations with preferable payment terms and a price the club is happy to pay, at the moment, we are unsure of that price.

Nevertheless, ChelseaFC365 has been told that a number of alternative names have been given by Chelsea’s scouts for the recruitment team to look into. Whether they become Chelsea players, are enquired about or simply discarded remains to be seen but we thought to inform you and be transparent with our dedicated readers where possible on who we have heard has been passed forward.

Romeo Lavia still sits near the top of Chelsea’s wanted list for a future move whilst we reported over recent weeks that Kouadio Kone was recommended by the scouting team and is also liked by director Christopher Vivell who is handling the bulk of the behind scenes work right now.

Let’s talk about some other names we’ve been hearing…

Guido Rodriguez, Real Betis, Defensive Midfielder :

We understand that Guido Rodriguez has been recommended by Chelsea scouts and at 28 years old he is not someone that would fit into the mould of young, exciting and tenacious talents that the club are heavily leaning towards so it gets us thinking why he has been looked at.. potentially a backup for the new defensive midfielder that replaces Jorginho who is highly likely to leave? let’s wait and see if anything happens with this one, what is for sure tho is that many European clubs have been monitoring him over the past year.

Nicola Fagioli, Juventus, Central Midfielder :

Nicola Fagioli of Juventus has caught Chelsea scouts attention, the talented 21 year old midfielder has played 9 times for Juventus this season, registering 2 goals. We don’t have anymore detailed information on this one unfortunately.

Martin Zubimendi, Real Sociedad, Defensive Midfielder :

Yes, Chelsea are amongst the number of clubs to have looked at 23 year old Martin Zubimendi. A fantastic passer of the ball, Zubimendi has attracted internal interest from a number of European giants, Real Sociedad however would be very reluctant to sell but it is thought that the player does have a release clause in his contract, which he signed until 2027 last October.

Maxence Caquaret, Lyon, Central Midfielder :

Chelsea scouts also recommended one of Lyon’s prized assets, Maxence Caqueret. The Lyon midfielder has played over 100 times for Lyon and is only 22 years old, a technically sound midfielder, Caquaret possesses a lot of talent and experience for a young player.

ChelseaFC365 reported weeks ago that Malo Gusto was being considered internally for right back which later came to fruition by being reported by reliable sources L’Equipe and Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea’s owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Egbhali really like Ligue 1 and I believe they will make investment into one of the French leagues as part of the multi club model being worked on by Neil Bath.

Alan Varela, Boca Juniors, Defensive Midfielder :

Alan Varela is yet another young talent Chelsea scouts have had their eyes on. At 21 years old, Argentine international Varela has played over 75 times for Boca Juniors and is strictly a defensive midfielder.

So there you have it, just a few names that our scouts have watched and like the look of for the Midfield. For those who will ask what a midfield rebuild will mean for Andrey Santos, I think it should be stressed that he is only 18 years old and very inexperienced, he has not even played in Brazil’s first division yet, a loan/several loans will likely be pursued before we see him in the Chelsea team.

Personally I think Chelsea will end up signing Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo over the next two windows but I am very intrigued to see how Chelsea would finance a move for Enzo Fernandez in the summer if we decided to go back in for him due to the fact the club will likely want to retain Joao Felix’s services whether that be a loan or permanently as well as looking at a first choice goalkeeper and potentially striker (although I expect Nkunku to lead the line next season so the situation around striker links is somewhat confusing to me)