Chelsea have picked Benfica centre-back Tomas Araujo as one of their top targets ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports. The Blues are eager to strengthen their defensive options and asked questions about Araujo’s availability over the summer, but Benfica were unwilling to let him go.  But Chelsea have not given up on signing the 22-year-old talent, who started four out of his team’s six league matches so far this campaign.  Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Chelsea want to sign a new centre-back in January and Araujo is at the top of their list. They also want RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba.  “Another player being linked with Chelsea is RB Leipzig’s talented centre-back Castello Lukeba. The 21-year-old is one of the most talented young defenders in Europe, for sure, and he’s been linked with some French clubs as well as with Chelsea, but what I can for the moment is that there is no concrete negotiation and no concrete talks taking place,” Romano wrote on his Daily Briefing Column.  “Leipzig recently sold Mohamed Simakan, so for another key defender to move on it would have to be a crazy proposal. Chelsea are following many centre-backs, so Lukeba is one of many players they’ve been monitoring, which is absolutely normal, just like with Tomas Araujo at Benfica. “Araujo in particular is a player Chelsea really like, and they tried for him in the final weeks of the summer transfer window. At that time, Benfica didn’t want to sell the player, but he remains someone on Chelsea’s radar, and they are also scouting Lukeba, but at this moment it’s too early to predict where he’s going.”

Ipswich Town face no threat to keeping Kalvin Phillips in January. On-loan from Manchester City, it has been suggested that Phillips could be recalled after Rodri suffered a season-ending injury.   However, according to TWTD, there is no break clause in the season-long contract.  “The truthful answer is I’ve not checked,” Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna said. “I don’t think there is, but I can’t tell you 100 percent. “I know the plan from our side, from his side, from Man City’s side is that he comes here and has a season with us and gets back to playing regularly and helps the team here. “And we’re going to try and help him develop while (he’s here) and build up to a good place in his career, while he’s going to do everything he can to help the team. That’s 100 per cent the plan and I’m sure that remains the plan on all sides.”