Douglas Luiz warms up for Juventus. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano provides new update on shock Chelsea transfer

Originally posted on Chelsea News | By Charlie Patrick | Last updated Jan 23, 2026 1:45 AM ET

Chelsea don’t want any obligation to buy in a potential loan move for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues were expected to be quiet this month, but their plans have changed and they are looking to bring in a centre back and possibly a midfielder.

Chelsea are said to have a three man shortlist at centre back, whilst they also have targets in midfield as they look to add more depth.

Chelsea only want dry loan for Douglas Luiz

Chelsea are light in midfield due to the injury issues of Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo who have hardly played this season.

The Blues are expected to target a midfielder as a priority next summer to ease the burden on Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, and they’ve been linked with Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

However, it looks like Chelsea could add some short term cover this month, and it was reported on Thursday, the Blues are considering a loan deal for Luiz.

Luiz is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Juventus, so that loan would need to be ended first, and Romano has provided an update.

“Chelsea doesn’t want any obligation to buy Douglas Luiz,” he told his YouTube channel.

“Only a loan deal with eventually a buy option.”

Romeo Lavia injury must be worse than first thought

The potential signing of Luiz makes sense in the short term, and indicates that Chelsea feel they are unlikely to be able to rely on Lavia or Essugo much over the second half of the season.

Having lost Facundo Buonanotte from the squad, Fernandez may well play more as a number ten for the remainder of the season.

Luiz would provide cover for Caicedo and Andrey Santos, and allow Reece James to also play at right back, but it remains to be seen if a deal gets done for the Brazil international.

This article first appeared on Chelsea News and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: