Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues told to pay £86m for Antonio Silva, Tottenham want Conor Gallagher, and more - January 13, 2024

Chelsea will welcome Fulham to Stamford Bridge in a Premier League game on Saturday, January 13. Mauricio Pochettino’s team are 10th in the league table after 20 games and desperately need all three points against the Cottagers.

Meanwhile, the Blues have been told to pay £86m for the services of Antonio Silva. Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in signing Conor Gallagher.

On that note, let’s take a look at the major Chelsea transfer news from January 13, 2024.

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Chelsea told to pay £86m for Antonio Silva

Antonio Silva is wanted at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have been told to pay £86m to secure the services of Antonio Silva this month, according to A Bola.

The Blues are looking for defensive reinforcements amid the uncertainties surrounding Thiago Silva’s future. The Brazilian is already in the twilight of his career and his contract with the club expires at the end of this season. Antonio Silva has been identified as the ideal successor to the 39-year-old at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese has been a rock at the back for Benfica this season, registering 12 clean sheets in his 25 appearances this season. The London giants reportedly offered £52m for the 20-year-old, but it was swiftly rejected by the Portuguese side.

Benfica have informed Chelsea that they will have to trigger the player’s massive release clause if they want to prise him away.

Tottenham Hotspur want Conor Gallagher

Conor Gallagher could leave Stamford Bridge this year

Tottenham Hotspur have retained their interest in Conor Gallagher, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The English midfielder has entered the final 18 months of his contract with Chelsea and his future remains up in the air. The Blues are yet to offer him a new deal amid reports that he could be offloaded this year.

Gallagher has appeared 25 times across competitions this season under Mauricio Pochettino and has started in all but two of them. Spurs have had their eyes on the 23-year-old for a while now and remain keen to take him across town.

However, speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones added that the Englishman has no desire to leave Stamford Bridge right now.

"Conor Gallagher is a player they have an interest in. They find it hard to believe that he will actually become available for transfer but, if he genuinely is, they think they are the perfect club for him to end up at,” said Jones.

"If they could get Conor Gallagher for £40million to £50million, I think they would probably see that as a good deal and one that they would actually try to pursue. But at the moment, obviously, they have still got the problem - on an emotional level on Conor Gallagher's side of things - whereby he doesn't want to leave Chelsea," he added.

Newcastle United and West Ham United also have their eyes on the 23-year-old, according to reports.

Mauricio Pochettino worried about Christopher Nkunku

Christopher Nkunku has struggled to get going at Stamford Bridge

Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that he is worried about Christopher Nkunku’s injury woes this season.

The French forward left RB Leipzig last summer to arrive at Chelsea but picked up a knee injury in pre-season. After a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Nkunky made his long-awaited debut for the Blues last month but has picked up a hip injury now.

Speaking to the press, as cited by 90 Min, Pochettino added that the club are assessing the 26-year-old at the moment.

"I do worry about the situation of Nkunku. I think it's now [been] ten days he cannot train. We are assessing him. We don't know what's going to happen. I'm a little bit worried about the situation of Nkunku,” said Pochettino.

"I remember my press conference after this happened. It was a small issue and it complicated and it's been between eight and ten days [since he trained]. We were waiting for him for six months and he was so close again to feeling comfortable. He started the game against Palace and of course, disappointed with that. We want him as quick as possible to be involved again," he added.

The London giants have struggled in front of goal in Nkunku’s absence.