Tomori, Caballero could leave Chelsea in January; Gilmour, Anjorin to stay — report

After spending over £200m in the summer transfer window, Chelsea will expectedly focus on the departure side of things in the winter transfer window, as we look towards trimming the squad as well as balancing the books.

The Athletic’s latest report has given a rundown of the potential outgoings next month. The first name up is fifth-choice centre back Fikayo Tomori, who is garnering interest from the likes of Rennes, Newcastle United, West Ham United and supposedly even Leeds United. While Tomori is seen as a long-term option by the club at center back, the 23-year-old may have had enough of being on the periphery, and could push for a permanent move instead of just a loan — even though he did sign a long-term contract this time last year.

However, Tomori’s departure also depends on the short-term futures of Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen, with the latter entertaining interest from top-six clubs in Spain, France and Germany, while Barcelona and PSG are reportedly interested in Rüdiger.

Another high-profile name in the transfer rumor mill will be Jorginho, but it’s unlikely that anyone will cough up close to Chelsea’s asking price of £50m for the midfielder, with Arsenal the only club who showed serious interest in the summer.

Amongst the goalkeepers, Willy Caballero is the favorite to depart after being demoted to third choice, while Kepa’s unlikely to move anytime soon. The veteran backup has apparently started exploring his options in MLS. Karlo Žiger and Petr Čech are expected to take over as the third goalkeepers for the senior-team.

Other potential departures include Marcos Alonso, for whom Chelsea are demanding a fee above £20m, Danny Drinkwater and Abdul Rahman Baba, however, the Blues plan to keep hold of Billy Gilmour — who has been linked with a move back to Rangers — and Tino Anjorin. Frank Lampard apparently sees Gilmour as a useful option as a holding midfielder as well as a No.8.

As for Anjorin, who has interest from Premier League and Championship sides, as well as clubs from abroad, the plan is to involve him more in the second half of the season, and he will provide depth at the wings, a position where all three of Chelsea’s senior-team wingers have had injury issues.

As for incoming players, the only player who the Blues could make a move for in January is Declan Rice, although it’s more likely that the former Chelsea youth player moves back across London next summer.