Chelsea plan transfer raid on familiar rival after spending £202m on 3 players

Chelsea have reportedly made moves to sign two Brighton players - including their summer signing Georginio Rutter.

The Blues are looking to bolster their ranks in the final days of the January transfer window, with their season declining over recent weeks. Enzo Maresca is therefore looking for new recruits and Brighton frontman Rutter is among those they're keen on.

The Frenchman moved from Leeds in the summer and has become an important player for Fabian Hurzeler, playing 22 times already this term with 13 of those as a starter. He's the team's joint top goalscorer and scored at Chelsea earlier this season.

Carlos Baleba, who has impressed at the base of Brighton's midfield, is also on their radar but the South Coast outfit have quickly communicated to Chelsea that, whilst they've sold them players in the past, they have no intention of sanctioning more sales, according to reports.

The Blues have continued to target players from the Amex throughout the Todd Boehly era, shelling out £202million to land three players from the Seagulls. They spent a British record fee of £115m to sign Moises Caicedo whilst Marc Cucurella arrived for £62m and they forked out £25m to land Robert Sanchez.

Graham Potter, now back in management with West Ham, first made his name in the Premier League with the Seagulls before he was lured to Stamford Bridge after a hefty compensation fee. He failed to last the season though before he was sacked

Chelsea's knock back means they may have to look elsewhere for recruits in the coming days. They've been heavily linked with Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho, who faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford with his agent considering his options.

The club must also decide whether to cash in on Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix - both men currently struggling for minutes in what is a bloated squad at Stamford Bridge. Maresca is flooded with attacking players and that has meant some players have been rarely used.

When quizzed on Felix's future Maresca said: "With João and Christo, [Christopher Nkunku] most managers only play one attacking midfielder. They are top players, I like both, they struggle because most of the time we only play with one attacking midfielder. I am not saying they will leave."