Chelsea transfer briefing: The fee Blues are willing to pay for defender Jeremy Jacquet REVEALED, latest on Axel Disasi's future, the players the club are happy to let go in January and their top priority for the summer

It's not been a quiet January for Chelsea - when is there ever a quiet month at Stamford Bridge? - and the next few days are likely to be lively as the Blues try to do some late business in the transfer market.

New boss Liam Rosenior is off to a decent start with wins in the FA Cup and Premier League sandwiching the stain of the home defeat by Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final - but that tie is far from over. Chelsea will hope to turn that around, go deep in the FA Cup and Champions League and finish in the top four in the league.

Our Chelsea expert KIERAN GILL brings you all the latest from the Blues camp regarding ins and outs to help them achieve those goals with under a fortnight to go until the window shuts.

What have Chelsea done so far this January?

Changed the head coach for a start!

Enzo Maresca left on New Year’s Day and Liam Rosenior replaced him less than a week later. Then they terminated Facundo Buonanotte’s loan from Brighton so he could join Leeds because the minutes simply weren’t available for him at Chelsea, no matter who was in charge.

Then they recalled David Datro Fofana from his loan at Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk, thereby opening up an international loan slot which could go to someone else.

Liam Rosenior was brought in as Chelsea's new boss less than a week after Enzo Maresca was shown the door

Chelsea terminated Facundo Buonanotte’s loan from Brighton, allowing him to join Leeds

While we were previously told we could anticipate a quiet January incoming-wise, they are now looking at central defenders, having identified that as an area for improvement. Whereas previously they might have simply waited until the summer, plans have been accelerated, and the defensive position is being prioritised.

Daily Mail Sport reported last week that Chelsea had identified three centre backs of interest: Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes, 20; Jacobo Ramon of Como, 21; and Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth, 28. Rosenior is very much involved in that transfer talk. We’re told he’s speaking to superiors daily. We’ll get to what’s happening with those defensive options in a moment.

Where do they still need to strengthen?

The last time I did one of these transfer updates, I wrote that you could make a case for Chelsea needing an addition in every department, from the defence to the midfield to the attack.

Well, now, they are cautiously optimistic they can secure a centre-back signing. Despite Axel Disasi having his first-team exile ended by Rosenior following talks, there remains the possibility that he could leave this month, even if he has been given a clean slate.

Chelsea may well also look at adding to the midfield or attack if the opportunity presents itself with one of the players on their shortlist.

On the subject of forwards: don't be fooled by fake footage or rumours doing the rounds on social media, claiming that Mykhailo Mudryk is training again at Cobham. He has not been at the club’s headquarters, and you should wait for official word on his situation.

Which players are they targeting?

Jacquet is the frontrunner ahead of Ramon and Senesi.

After reporting on the original interest, I heard Rennes were valuing him at around €70million (£61m) but that Chelsea were looking at closer to €45m, not including add-ons which could take it towards €55m.

Blues insiders are not commenting on specific numbers, however. For one, it would not be right of them to give a running commentary on a target they're chasing. And two, revealing their position could help other clubs interested in the 20-year-old Frenchman.

Rennes are valuing 20-year-old defender Jeremy Jacquet at around €70million (£61m)

Defender Axel Disasi has had his first-team exile ended by Rosenior following talks but there remains the possibility that he could leave this month

Chelsea and Rennes have remained in talks, and the Blues are hopeful they can come to an agreement soon. There has been talk of Chelsea potentially agreeing to sign him permanently but loaning him back to Rennes for the remainder of the season, with them sitting sixth in Ligue 1 and scrapping for European football.

I haven’t had that verified myself, but it could be a solution if Rennes are adamant they do not want to lose him, even if it wouldn’t be ideal that Chelsea have to wait another six months before he arrives. We’ll see.

If Jacquet – or one of the other targets – arrives then it is not to replace Levi Colwill but rather complement him.

What progress has been made on signings for the summer?

Chelsea have a scout based in Italy, who I won't name, but he had a hectic Sunday as it would appear he attended Parma 0-0 Genoa at lunchtime then AC Milan 1-0 Leece in the evening.

The club’s scouts worldwide are keeping busy, doing their work on behalf of the sporting leadership team back home. Not only for this month but with a view for the future.

The reason the Blues moved for Buonanotte on a straightforward loan from Brighton in the summer was because they saw that as more sensible than rushing into signing an attacker on a long contract.

They will look at adding someone versatile to the attack this summer, though I don’t have names yet. There are a few candidates I suspect are on their shortlist, but until I have them specifically stood up by other sources, I'll refrain from naming them.

Who could still leave this month?

Raheem Sterling is someone who might finally find a new home as, even if he does have a clean slate under Rosenior, it would be hard to see how he can play again for Chelsea given everything that has happened. From asking around, there is no update on a move as of yet.

Raheem Sterling could finally be on his way out of Stamford Bridge as it is hard to see him playing for the club again

Tyrique George (right), having not appeared for Chelsea for more than a month, is available for sale

Disasi could also leave despite being back in first-team training. Tyrique George, having not appeared for Chelsea for more than a month, and Datro Fofana, after his recall, are available for sale.

Filip Jorgensen would only be sold if the Blues received an offer too good to turn down as changing their goalkeeper set-up midway through a season is not desired.

Ato Ampah, 19, has attracted interest from Championship clubs and also sides in Italy, both on a permanent and loan basis. Chelsea are considering their options for him.

If they can help it, Chelsea do not want players getting into the last two years of their contracts, let alone one.

There are a few whose deals are due to expire in the summer of 2028 barring the existence of a one-year option – Marc Cucurella, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo – and so there are set to be decisions to make on possible extensions or sales in the future.