Chelsea are looking for reinforcements in the January transfer window to revive their faltering season under Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues are currently out of contention for the Premier League title and face a tough battle to qualify for Europe.
According to the latest rumours, Chelsea are interested in two players who could boost their attack and defence: Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Benfica’s Antonio Silva. However, both players are highly valued by their clubs and may not be easy to sign.
Martinez is a prolific striker who leads the Serie A scoring charts with 16 goals in 17 games. The 26-year-old Argentine is one of the best forwards in Europe and has a strong relationship with Pochettino, his compatriot and former national team coach.
Chelsea are in need of a reliable goalscorer, as their current options have failed to deliver consistently. Martinez could be the perfect fit for Pochettino’s system and style, but he won’t come cheap. Inter are reportedly demanding at least £80m-£100m for their star man, who is also a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Silva is a promising centre-back who has impressed with Benfica since breaking into the first team last season. The 20-year-old Portuguese is a versatile defender who can play in different positions and formations. He is also a threat from set-pieces, having scored four goals this season.
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Chelsea are keen to strengthen their defence, as they have conceded 28 goals in 20 league games, the most among the top seven teams. Silva could be a long-term solution for the Blues, but he is also highly sought-after by other clubs. Manchester United and Liverpool are among the teams that have been linked with him, but Chelsea are said to have made the first move.
However, Benfica have rejected Chelsea’s initial offer of €60m (£51m) plus add-ons, as they are holding out for his €100m (£86m) release clause. The Portuguese club are also reluctant to sell him in January, as they are competing for the domestic title and the Europa League.
Chelsea may have to wait until the summer to land their targets, but they will also have to comply with the Financial Fair Play rules, which could force them to sell some of their players first. Pochettino has a tough task ahead of him to turn Chelsea’s season around, but he may need some help from the transfer market to do so.
