Chelsea prepared to offer three players in outrageous swap deal that would break European football

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to sanction a swap deal which would see three players leave the club.

The Blues had an extremely busy transfer window, which saw them scramble to reduce Enzo Maresca's squad that consisted of 43 players at one stage.

The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Conor Gallagher were sold by the club, while Raheem Sterling, Trevoh Chalobah and Kepa Arrizabalaga were all loaned out.

But according to a new report, Chelsea plan to trim their squad even further in January with a number of fringe players still at the club.

Argentine outlet Doble Amarilla claim that the Blues want to sign Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez to bolster their attacking options.

Chelsea were linked with moves for Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney in the summer, but ultimately decided against adding to their squad in the striking position.

It is claimed that the Blues were contemplating a bid of €100 million to sign Martinez, who has scored 20 Serie A goals in each of the last three seasons.

But they are now exploring a swap deal involving winger Mykhailo Mudryk, for whom Chelsea spent £88 million to bring to the club from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023.

Benoit Badiashile and Carney Chukwuemeka are also said to be potential options to be included in any swap deal.

Getty

Martinez, meanwhile, is one of Inter's key players but was dropped to the bench for their 0-0 Champions League draw against Manchester City on Wednesday.

Manager Simone Inzaghi preferred a strike partnership of new signing Medhi Taremi alongside Marcus Thuram.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Martinez was left out of the starting line-up due to fatigue, with the Argentinian having not scored in any of his opening three Serie A games so far this season.