FC Porto's Mehdi Taremi in action with Vitoria Guimaraes' Ibrahima Bamba
Chelsea see Vitoria Guimaraes midfielder Ibrahima Bamba as an alternative signing if the deal for Enzo Fernandez collapses on deadline day, journalist Jacque Talbot has claimed.
The Lowdown: Enzo the main target
The Blues clearly see Fernandez as their main midfield transfer target in January, with various reports saying they are trying to sign the Argentina World Cup winner.
Benfica have held firm for much of this month, however, and there is no guarantee that Chelsea will end up getting their man before the end of deadline day, even with reports of a medical taking place in Lisbon as we speak.
Now, it looks as though another target is being kept in the back pocket as an emergency option.
The Latest: Bamba an alternative
Taking to Twitter, Talbot said that the Italian-born Bamba is considered an alternative to Fernandez if things go awry before the 11pm cutoff on Tuesday:
“Chelsea looking at Ibrahima Bamba if they can’t get Enzo Fernadez done.“
The Verdict: Feels unlikely
In truth, it would now be a big surprise if Bamba became a Chelsea player this month, with Fernandez seemingly edging closer to signing on the dotted line.
That being said, the Vitoria Guimaraes man could be a decent option if the move falls apart at the 11th hour, having averaged 2.6 tackles per game in the Primeira Liga this season.
The 20-year-old isn’t out of contract at his current club until the summer of 2026 but he would be seen as a long-term addition, adding much-needed youthful exuberance in the middle of the park.
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