Will Chelsea cross £500m in transfer spending in January?

Chelsea have gone on a huge spending spree since their takeover from Clearlake Capital Group last year and they are still searching for new players.

The Blues’ new owners have been eager to revamp the squad during the recent transfer windows, and their outlay could crash through the £500 million mark in the coming days.

A new right-back and a defensive midfielder may be pursued in the January transfer window. Lyon youngster Malo Gusto seems to be the priority defensive target.

An opening bid has been made to Les Gones after agreeing personal terms with the 19-year-old, but the French outfit are reluctant to part ways with the Frenchman as of now.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo and Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez are under consideration to bolster the holding midfield department this month.

The Blues are not close to signing either player at the moment, but there is still optimism that they can get a deal over the line for a new number six before the transfer deadline.

If Chelsea reinforce both positions before next Tuesday, there is a high possibility they will break the £500m spending barrier – less than eight months after the takeover.

Due to the massive spending, several rival clubs have already complained to UEFA. The Blues have been using amortisation to spread the cost of transfers over longer periods.

For example, Mykhailo Mudryk was signed for £88m but the Blues handed him an eight-year deal to spread the fee. The club have found a loophole to avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions.

UEFA plan to restrict amortisation to five seasons in future, but it won’t happen until the summer. On that basis, we won’t be surprised if Chelsea take advantage with more signings this winter.