Manchester City have gifted Premier League title-contenders Chelsea a pinch of January transfer relief ahead of what could've been a mass winter eviction at Stamford Bridge.
Thomas Tuchel's side have struggled to contend with the latest wave of Covid cases that swept the country and league, leaving the Blues with depleted squad options.
The German boss has been on the frontline weathering the on-pitch storm, digging into his reserves, meanwhile, Marina Granovskaia and Roman Abramovich have been inundated with the annual winter window panic.
Ahead of January, Chelsea have been tasked with the mission of juggling the club's contract saga as well as the widely reported flurry of interest from a handful of Europe's leading sides.
Tuchel's squad depth could have gone from bad worse but Pep Guardiola has handed the west Londoners a slice of winter window respite following City's latest transfer decision.
Ferran Torrers will complete his move to Barcelona in January in a deal worth €65 million (£55m) including add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The report claims that the Spain international will sign a five-year deal at Camp Nou, which could potentially draw the curtains in the Catalan side's pursuit of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Timo Werner.
In November, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner first emerged as targets that Barcelona would look at, according to ESPN, meanwhile, Mundo Deportivo claimed that Christian Pulisic was also on their shortlist.
Barcelona's well-documented financial climate could see Xavi limited to one 'big money' arrival in January and, therefore, relive Chelsea of being bullied into stripping whatever meat is left on the bone.
However, while the Spanish side's signing from City may have ceased their January appetite, the Blues must still be wary of Barcelona's pulling power in the free-agent market, which opens next month.
Cesar Azpilicueta, who sees his current deal at Chelsea expire at the end of the season, has attracted interest from the Spanish side ahead of a potential free switch in the summer, according to El Nacional.
However, The Athletic reassured Blues fans that their captain's priority is to, instead, extend his stay in west London and continue to fight for a place despite the narrowing opportunities.
Andreas Christensen has been a long time target of the Spanish side and with him changing representatives in the last few days that could open the worms on a potential move.
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