Maresca handed Vlahovic boost amid renewed stance with Chelsea "offered" January deal

[ad_1] Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has been handed a contemporary increase over Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović, with the participant now able to take one drastic motion to depart Turin.

Whereas summer season signing Liam Delap is now prepared and out there as soon as once more after weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring downside, the Englishman's absence considerably uncovered Chelsea's lack of striker choices.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Chelsea's Liam Delap reacts after sustaining an injury " data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chelsea-s-liam-delap-reacts-after-sustaining-an-injury.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/chelsea-s-liam-delap-reacts-after-sustaining-an-injury.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Chelsea's Liam Delap reacts after sustaining an harm BlueCo have been compelled to chop quick Marc Guiu's mortgage spell at Sunderland and produce the Spaniard again to Stamford Bridge as cowl for Delap, with Joao Pedro, an arguably extra pure quantity 10, additionally handed the duty of taking part in up entrance by Maresca.

Guiu was handed his first Premier League begin of the season for Chelsea of their 2-1 loss to the Black Cats final weekend, however did not make the specified influence, regardless of scoring towards Ajax a number of days prior.

Whereas Chelsea forked out almost £300 million in the summertime switch window, putting them amongst England's most lavish spenders, Maresca nonetheless finds himself quick in key areas.

Premier League Golf equipment' Summer season Spending

Rank

Membership

Gross Spend

Gross sales

Web Spend

20.

Bournemouth

£136.7m

£202.5m

+£65.8m

19.

Brighton

£67.7m

£127.5m

+£59.8m

18.

Brentford

£92.8m

£152m

+£59.2m

17.

Wolves

£105.6m

£126.5m

+£20.9m

16.

Chelsea

£296.5m

£314.4m

+£17.9m

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That is significantly the case at centre-back, and stories recommend that Chelsea are set to prioritise a brand new defender in January because of this.

The likes of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi, who may reportedly re-join his former membership on a cut-price deal within the winter, and Bayern Munich's Dayot Upamecano have each been mentioned as choices by Chelsea in that regard (Graeme Bailey).

Additional ahead, Chelsea are believed to be contemplating a brand new striker as nicely, as journalist Simon Phillips has reported, however any deal can be within the 'cheaper' bracket.

"I've heard that Chelsea are strikers once more to doubtlessly are available in and assist for January," Phillips wrote earlier this month, through his Substack.

"These are more likely to be both mortgage choices, low-cost choices, or gamers coming to the tip of their contracts, or a participant we already personal.

"I’ve been requested about Ivan Toney, no thought why? I’ve not seen any stories on it. However anyway, I’ve not heard about Toney being checked out once more but, however he could be. I do know for positive that there are individuals at Chelsea who nonetheless price him and wished him in earlier than he went to Saudi. This was not closely reported on the time however Chelsea have been actually making an attempt to signal him at one level. So there could be one thing there.

"It’s the identical with Dusan Vlahovic, he’s a participant who’s been on Chelsea’s shortlist for some time and remains to be there. So if there’s a chance, I wouldn’t rule that out both."

Phillips mentions Vlahovic as one possibility, and that is backed up by different media sources.

It's believed that Chelsea have already held talks with the Serbia worldwide's brokers given his contract expires on the finish of this season, and there is now been one other replace.

Chelsea given contemporary Dusan Vlahovic increase amid contemporary stance Chatting with The Chelsea Chronicle, reporter Graeme Bailey says that Maresca's facet have been provided the possibility to do a deal in January.

<img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic during the warm up" data-img-url="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/juventus-dusan-vlahovic-during-the-warm-up.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" src="https://static0.footballfancastimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/juventus-dusan-vlahovic-during-the-warm-up.JPG?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"/> Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic in the course of the heat up Vlahovic, who apparently earns a staggering £370,000-per-week at Juve, can be able to take a pay lower after renewing his stance in that regard — coming as a lift for Chelsea.

“They’re being alerted to the truth that Vlahovic is out there and he’s in all probability even out there for lower than 20 million in January however clearly it’s within the gamers arms and if he needs to maneuver. It’s an possibility that the Chelsea have checked out earlier than," Bailey stated.

“They’ve been provided him. I’ve been instructed he’s searching for much less cash than what he’s on at Juventus now. He didn’t wish to take a wage drop, however he’s searching for much less cash now. So, I believe it’s an possibility that’s being introduced to Chelsea and one clearly they know all about him. I imply, Vlahovic isn’t a secret to anybody and he’s solely 25.”

Ever since his breakout marketing campaign in 2020/2021, Vlahovic has managed at the very least 14 objectives per season, typically way more.

The ex-Fiorentina "celebrity" has additionally scored in large Champions League video games towards the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Man Metropolis within the final two campaigns, so the prospect of signing him for beneath £20 million is a fairly engaging one.

If Chelsea do make a transfer, Vlahovic's potential wage lower will probably be key, as Chelsea's present highest incomes first-team participant is Reece James on £250,000-per-week.