Report: Chelsea considering move to sign €40m defender | OneFootball

Chelsea push ahead with January defensive plans

Chelsea are reportedly confident as they prepare a €40m bid for Real Betis centre back Natan, aiming to complete the deal before Deadline Day. At 24, the Brazilian has impressed in La Liga, and Chelsea believe their offer could be decisive even with wider interest emerging, according to Fichajes.

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According to the report, Chelsea are optimistic that a bid at that level will allow them to move ahead of rivals, though the landscape is far from clear. Competition is expected, and the sense is that this will be one of those late window negotiations shaped by timing as much as money.

Defensive uncertainty shapes thinking

Chelsea’s interest feels rooted in familiar concerns. Inconsistency and availability have again undermined defensive stability. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah have struggled to convince fully, while Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana continue to battle fitness issues. Reinforcement feels less like luxury and more like necessity.

As noted earlier this week, Chelsea have already brought Aaron Anselmino back from his loan at Borussia Dortmund, amid difficulties completing a deal for Jeremy Jacquet. That context makes Natan an appealing alternative, a defender with composure, mobility and room to grow.

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Real Madrid complicate picture

The complication, as ever, is Real Madrid. Los Blancos are also understood to be monitoring the market for a defender, and Natan’s name has surfaced alongside interest in Tottenham’s Cristian Romero. Madrid’s own issues at the back make them a looming presence in any negotiation.

For Natan, the decision will be significant. Spain offers continuity and familiarity, while the Premier League presents scale, intensity and the pull of London. Chelsea are betting that ambition and opportunity will tip the balance.

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This report sparks cautious optimism rather than blind excitement. Chelsea fans have seen enough short term fixes to know that another defender only matters if he fits a clear plan. Natan appeals because he feels like a step towards coherence, young enough to develop, experienced enough to contribute now.

Supporters will recognise the logic in targeting La Liga talent, defenders who arrive with positional intelligence and composure under pressure. A €40m fee feels significant but not reckless in today’s market, particularly if it helps stabilise a back line that has rarely looked settled.

There is also relief that Chelsea appear willing to move decisively before Deadline Day rather than scrambling at the last moment. The idea of beating Real Madrid to a signing would resonate strongly with fans, a signal that Chelsea still belong at football’s top table.

Ultimately, supporters want clarity. If this deal represents another building block rather than a short term patch, it will be welcomed. The mood among fans is hopeful, but with an expectation that recruitment now delivers balance, durability and a sense of direction.