Chelsea are set to make a renewed bid for summer transfer target and RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol in January according to reports.
The Blues made a total of nine additions in the summer transfer window spending in excess of £250 million. They strengthened all over the pitch and made deadline day swoops for both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria.
It was the first window that the new ownership team, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, were in control of and they did not mess about.
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While improvements were made in nearly every area of the pitch, the significant focus was to bolster the backline. Having lost both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, incomings were required.
The Blues started off the fortification of their defence by bringing in the ever so experienced Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
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A £34 million move saw Chelsea acquire one of Europe's most highly rated centre backs.
Arriving next at Stamford Bridge was Marc Cucurella, who has now been joined by former manager Graham Potter at Chelsea as well.
In the final week of the window a sensational move for Leicester City's Wesley Fofana was completed. The Frenchman made his debut against West Ham in a 2-1 win, lining up alongside Thiago Silva and Koulibaly in a back three.
While the season has started perfectly for the Blues, winning just three of their first six Premier League games, it is not massively surprising considering the amount of change.
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According to Christian Falk, Chelsea are still looking to make further additions to the defence in January.
They are planning to revisit one of their summer targets, Josko Gvardiol. He wrote: "In Winter Chelsea FC will have another try for a transfer of Josko Gvardiol."
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The Blues were reportedly in advanced talks with RB Leipzig over a move for Gvardiol that would have seen join in 2023 for €90 million. This fell through, but it has not deterred the interest of the west London side.
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This could see the centre-back become the first signing that Potter makes as Chelsea head coach.
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At just 20-years-old, the Croatian has an exciting future ahead of him and it is not a surprise to see there is heavy interest in him. Should he move, it would be likely he would still see out the season with Leipzig, as they previously said they require his services.
He could be the ideal replacement for 37-year-old Silva, and Chelsea's defence would be in safe hands for years to come.
Potter could welcome at least two new additions in the January market with a goalkeeper and midfielder potentially being eyed by Chelsea.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Todd Boehly, Josko Gvardiol
Sam Collins