Chelsea are reportedly unlikely to attract suitable bids for Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah in January.
On the back of spending in excess of £1bn across three transfer windows, the Blues must now work stringently to ensure that they comply with FFP regulations.
With the added uncertainty of potentially not qualifying for Europe for a second campaign in succession, measures will have to be taken over the coming weeks.
Reports have indicated that co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are willing to cash in on the likes of Gallagher and Chalobah, two academy graduates.
While Chalobah has not made a single first-team appearance during 2023-24, largely due to injury, Gallagher has been a mainstay in the team and is third-choice captain.
© Reuters
Given the figures that have been mentioned in the media, it has felt a possibility that Chelsea could generate in the region of £65m if they were able to find buyers for the two players.
However, according to FootballTransfers, acceptable proposals are unlikely to be presented to Chelsea over the coming weeks.
The report claims that Tottenham Hotspur - the alleged frontrunners for Gallagher - are not in a position where they can spend £40m on the England international.
Meanwhile, it is suggested that Chalobah is still not close to returning to full fitness after a hamstring injury and that could lead to offers being in short supply.
© Reuters
Chalobah had a number of teams interested in his signature in the summer, such as Bayern Munich and Nottingham Forest, but only Bayern are likely to emerge as a possible destination later in the transfer window.
Chelsea are currently not in a position where they can loan out a player to a foreign club with all seven slots being taken up by such deals from the previous transfer window.
Furthermore, club officials must also contemplate the possibility of having to entertain a loan offer with obligation to buy from Borussia Dortmund for Ian Maatsen if a compromise cannot be reached over a permanent transfer.
If Chelsea are unable to part ways with the aforementioned trio, conducting January business looks unlikely when a number of other teams are also wary of breaching Profit and Sustainability rules in the Premier League.
Darren Plant
