The strongest rumor this international break has seen Cesc Fabregas linked to AC Milan for a January move. It would be a difficult sell for Chelsea.
Like David Luiz, Fabregas has been around since the day Maurizio Sarri arrived at Chelsea. And like Luiz, this has earned him a lot of favoritism from Sarri which was show cased throughout preseason. But a “strange” pain in his knee has kept Fabregas out of action since the season began.
Fabregas only has a year left on his contract, and if the Blues are unwilling to extend, they need to sell in January if they have any hope of profiting anything off the Spaniard. The alternative is the normal one year extension with a pay cut. But Fabregas seems like the type to believe he still has more to give.
AC Milan has been the club most strongly linked to the midfielder. Chelsea and the Italian side already did business over Tiemoue Bakayoko’s loan (with an option to buy). Fabregas would likely do well there, but any January move (or any move at all) would be a hard sell for Chelsea to make.
The hardest thing about moving Fabregas on would be his wages. They are rumored to be one of the highest in the club, perhaps only surpassed by Eden Hazard. As such, it does not make sense for Chelsea to maintain that rate if he is no longer a starter. And given the performances of N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, and even Ross Barkley, Fabregas might even have a hard time being a super sub.
So three options exist for Fabregas. He can stay at Chelsea and extend for a massive pay cut. He can push for a move to AC Milan in January, but the Italian side is unlikely to pay him anything close to what he is currently earning. Or he can wait till his contract with Chelsea expires and move freely to any club willing to match his demands.
Given his recent injury, it is unclear as to what his role will be under Sarri. And at only 31, and with a play style that ages well, Fabregas could still be a key player for the right type of team. If he leaves, which is surely going to happen at some point, he will earn far more minutes than he would if he stayed.
Chelsea would lose a good leader behind the scenes, but could use the wages Fabregas is currently earning on other players who might contribute more frequently. And in almost any scenario (bar perhaps leaving for free), Fabregas will have to accept some sort of pay cut.
If Chelsea is intent on selling the midfielder, they will find few buyers willing to match the Spaniard’s current wages. It will likely come down to what Fabregas himself prefers. He has the most bargaining power over his future. Milan would be a good destination for him if he decides that is what he wants.
But overall, a January move is more unlikely than not. Unless Fabregas takes a pay cut, he will likely see out his Chelsea contract and leave for free next summer.