Chelsea have ended Trevoh Chalobah’s loan at Crystal Palace early after activating a recall clause in the defender’s deal. The move has come in response to Enzo Maresca losing Benoît Badiashile and Wesley Fofana to hamstring injuries.
Fofana is not expected to make a swift return and Chelsea have decided to bolster their options by bringing Chalobah back to the club. Chalobah was left out in the cold last summer, having been told he was not part of Chelsea’s long-term plans, and he found a new challenge after joining Palace on a season-long loan.
Chalobah, a product of the club’s academy, was left off Chelsea’s pre-season tour last summer and was part of a group who trained away from the first team. Sources say he was content at Palace. However Chelsea, who are winless in their last five league games, believe Chalobah can adapt to Maresca’s possession style. With Fofana and Badiashile unavailable, Maresca has been choosing from Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong. Aaron Anselmino has been recalled from his loan at Boca Juniors.
Chelsea have considered trying to sign another of their former players, Palace’s Marc Guéhi, but turning to Chalobah is more straightforward. Chalobah, who has done well for Palace, can play at centre-back and right-back. Palace will look to fill the hole in their defence with Chris Richards and Chadi Riad.
Disasi is up for sale this month and was omitted for Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday night. Bayern Munich are trying to sign the France striker Christopher Nkunku while Borussia Dortmund want Renato Veiga and Carney Chukwuemeka.
Meanwhile, West Ham’s search for a new striker has seen them target Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz.
Injuries mean Graham Potter is in need of attacking reinforcements, with Muniz added to a list that already includes Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, Nottingham Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi and RB Leipzig’s Andre Silva.
Potter, who is also keen to sign a deep-lying technical midfielder this month, will have a big say on transfers. West Ham’s new manager held talks with the board over recruitment on Wednesday and a move for Muniz is being considered.
Muniz has played second fiddle to Raúl Jiménez at Fulham this season. West Ham are looking at an initial loan for the 23-year-old Brazilian, with a £30m obligation to buy a possibility. Muniz has scored four goals this season.
West Ham could raise funds for signings by selling Luis Guilherme less than a year after signing the Brazilian teenager for £25.5m. The winger has not made an impact this season and has interest from an unnamed club in Saudi Arabia.
West Ham would have to sell Guilherme at a loss. Tim Steidten, whose future as technical director is in huge doubt, played a huge role in buying him. Steidten’s influence over signings has been reduced this month.
