Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona duo Ronald Araujo and Jules Kounde during the January window.
The Blues have enjoyed a productive start to the 2024-25 term under the stewardship of Enzo Maresca, who jumped ship from Leicester City over the summer.
Following the international break, Chelsea returned to club action and winning ways on Saturday afternoon, beating the relegation-threatened Foxes at the King Power Stadium.
Goals either side of the half-time whistle from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez secured maximum points for the Blues, with Jordan Ayew pulling a goal back late on for the East Midlanders.
After collecting three points against the Foxes, Chelsea remain in third spot in the Premier League table, just a single point behind Manchester City in second.
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Chelsea 'plotting £125m swoop' of Barcelona defensive duo
According to reports via TEAMtalk, Chelsea are planning a high-profile swoop for two players currently plying their trade for Barcelona in the New Year.
The report claims that the Blues are very interested in securing the services of both Araujo and Kounde during the January transfer window.
It is understood that Chelsea are willing to submit a joint offer totalling £125m for the signatures of both players, who are key members of Hansi Flick's squad in Spain.
Kounde has featured in all 14 of Barca's La Liga matches so far this term, lifting the Spanish crown with the Catalans under the stewardship of Xavi in 2022-23.
Suffering a leg injury while on international duty for Uruguay at Copa America in July, Araujo is yet to play for Barca in a competitive sense this term.
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Do Chelsea need Kounde, Araujo?
Due to their significant spending since the arrival of Todd Boehly as chairman in May 2022, Chelsea are not short of options in defence.
Often filling in at full-back under previous regimes, England international Levi Colwill has impressed at the heart of the defence alongside Benoit Badiashile this season.
With summer arrival Tosin Adarabioyo and Axel Disasi also within the Blues' ranks, it is hard to argue that Maresca's men are in desperate need of New Year reinforcements at the back.
Carter White
