Chelsea offered £20m midfielder to Celtic and Ranger in January

 Celtic and Glasgow Rangers could potentially be the beneficiaries of Chelsea’s bloated squad in the January transfer window.

In a similar vein to Chelsea in the Premier League, Celtic are flying domestically in Scotland right now – something that can’t be said over at the Ibrox.

Rangers sit third and are seven points behind Aberdeen who are enduring their first small dip under Jimmy Thelin.

That being said, TBR Football understands that Chelsea have offered the Old Firm pair the chance to sign Carney Chukwuemeka in January.

Carney Chukwuemeka offered to Scotland as Chelsea plan January exit

Chelsea are planning to offload some numbers in their midfield in January, and would prefer to move on Chukwuemeka instead of the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Chelsea have no interest in Dewsbury-Hall leaving next month, a player who Enzo Maresca has faith in and knows extremely well.

Carney Chukwuemeka of Chelsea FC in action during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 and Chels...

Instead, Chelsea are working hard to find Chukwuemeka an option for January, whether it’s a loan move or a permanent departure.

As a result, both Celtic and Rangers have been offered the chance to sign Chukwuemeka, who cost Chelsea £20m when they recruited him from Aston Villa in 2022.

It remains to be seen whether the Scottish giants would have any interest in a move, but on his part, Chukwuemeka is ready to leave.

The midfielder has been offered around Europe and recognises the fact that he isn’t getting anywhere near Maresca’s plans.

Chelsea also seeking a new club for Lesley Ugochukwu

In addition to Chukwuemeka, Chelsea are also working to find a new club for Lesley Ugochukwu next month, who is currently on loan at Southampton.

Southampton have told Chelsea that they want to send Ugochukwu back to Stamford Bridge, but it is not believed that there is any clause in his loan deal allowing them to do so in January.

On their part, Chelsea want Ugochukwu to play football, and as he won’t get that opportunity at St Mary’s, they are now looking at other options for the Frenchman.

Evidently there’s a lot of moving pieces in west London, but Maresca’s squad is starting to take shape, and there’s a lot of reason to be positive about the club’s project moving forward.