Chelsea have had a difficult start to the season, with several of their important players sidelined due to injuries. However, the squad appears to have progressively adapted, and they now seem to have somewhat found their rhythm. Enzo Maresca's side have won 6 of their 11 league games so far, and currently sit third in the Premier League table behind Arsenal and Manchester City. And if they had not picked up so many red cards, they might have even been top.
With the winter transfer window fast approaching, all the clubs along with their scouts have been looking into potential prospects and Chelsea is no exception to that. The West Londoners’ recruitment department appears to be preparing for another ambitious midfield pursuit, as they have identified Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest as a potential target for the January transfer window if reports are on the mark.
According to a report from Indykaila news (via Caught Offside), Chelsea want to sign Anderson in January. Romeo Lavia could be transferred for a suitable fee. The information is said to be directly from a source within the London club.
Anderson joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024 for around £35m, and he played a major role in helping them finish seventh in the Premier League last season, scoring 2 goals and contributing 6 assists in 37 games. The 23-year-old, who made three appearances for them in the Europa League, earned his first England cap in September this year and is now considered a major part of Thomas Tuchel's plans for the World Cup next summer.
Chelsea keen to sign £100m-rated midfielder in January
A transfer to Stamford Bridge would surely fit the club's current policy of recruiting young, technically gifted players, but it won’t come cheap. Nottingham Forest don't want to lose their star player and will want a high transfer fee to change their minds. They value the transfer in excess of £100m, but a figure around £70m is thought to be sufficient to persuade the club to sanction it.
On the other hand, it is suggested that Chelsea could be willing to part ways with Lavia at a suitable fee. He has been plagued by injuries since joining the club from Southampton in 2023. During his two-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, the Belgian midfielder has only played 30 games for the Blues in all competitions, and missed 88 matches due to injury.
There is no doubt that Anderson is a tremendous talent with a bright future and could be a valuable asset to Chelsea. The Blues have already made significant investments in the midfield, with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo serving as standout players. The signing of the Nottingham Forest man would further enhance them in the middle of the park. It remains to be seen if they can win the race for his signature.