Bayern Munich are reportedly weighing up a late January bid for Chelsea's promising young defender Josh Acheampong, as the transfer window enters its final days. The German giants have not ruled out making an approach for the 19-year-old, according to fresh reports, adding intrigue to the winter market.
Chelsea's Stance on Acheampong
Chelsea highly value Acheampong and are not actively seeking to sell the versatile defender, who remains under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2029. He signed a five-year deal in December 2024, which appeared to settle speculation about his long-term future at the club. However, his limited playing time this season has reignited transfer rumours.
So far this campaign, Acheampong has made 17 appearances across all competitions, but he has not been a regular starter under either former manager Enzo Maresca or new head coach Liam Rosenior. In recent matches against Brentford and Pafos, other defenders such as Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badisahille have been preferred, with Trevor Chalobah and Wesley Fofana often forming the first-choice pairing.
Competition and Interest from Other Clubs
The situation could become more challenging for Acheampong if Chelsea secure the signing of young defender Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes. The Blues have reportedly agreed personal terms with Jacquet, but negotiations over a fee are ongoing, with the French club demanding a club-record £56 million. This potential arrival might push Acheampong further down the pecking order.
Aside from Bayern Munich, Crystal Palace are also monitoring Acheampong's progress. The Eagles are in the market for defensive reinforcements after selling captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City, making the Chelsea youngster an attractive target.
Rosenior's Role and Future Speculation
If Acheampong continues to struggle for regular minutes under Rosenior, the speculation surrounding his future is likely to intensify. The defender's talent and potential have drawn attention, but his lack of consistent starts could prompt a move, especially with top clubs like Bayern showing interest.
In other Chelsea transfer news, the club are also looking to strengthen their midfield options. They have reportedly held talks with Juventus over a straight loan deal for Douglas Luiz, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest. Luiz has started just two league games since Sean Dyche's arrival at Forest, sparking rumours of a possible departure.
Manager Comments and Market Dynamics
When asked about the potential exit of Jeremy Jacquet, Rennes boss Habib Beye commented on Friday, stating, 'There are still a few days left in the transfer window; anything can happen. We need things to be as calm as possible.' This reflects the unpredictable nature of the January market.
Similarly, Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche addressed speculation over Luiz's future, noting, 'It doesn’t surprise me there is interest from other clubs in good players. That’s the nature of the business.' He added that interest in players is a double-edged sword, as it indicates their quality but also risks losing them.
As the transfer window draws to a close, all eyes will be on whether Bayern Munich formalise their interest in Acheampong and how Chelsea manage their defensive squad amid these developments.
