Chelsea Transfer News: Kostas Manolas Rumours Emerge, Patrick Bamford to Return

A winter overhaul could see Chelsea's squad revamped at each end of the pitch in the coming months, as the Blues are expected to go in for Roma's Kostas Manolas and are also looking to bring Patrick Bamford back early from his loan.

Manager Jose Mourinho did his utmost to secure the signing of an elite centre-back over the summer, but Italian outlet Calcio Mercato has reported the club will make their move for Manolas in January, per Metro's Tom Olver.

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The Greece international was signed by the Giallorossi as a replacement for Mehdi Benatia in 2014, where he made a smooth transition to Serie A and helped Roma create the second-stingiest defence in the Italian top flight.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio's translator David Amoyal, this isn't the first time Chelsea have raised interest in the 24-year-old, with Roma having received a €30 million (£22.3 million) bid for his signature earlier this year:

The Blues' back line has been in disarray so far this season, with 34-year-old captain John Terry struggling to maintain his standards and Branislav Ivanovic, 31, also seemingly feeling the effects of his age.

Bleacher Report's Adam Digby has stressed that Roma would be willing to sell for the right price, too, which will be like music to the ears of the cash-rich string-pullers at Stamford Bridge:

Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma have garnered greater responsibilities as a centre-back pairing in west London this term, but a very public pursuit of Everton's John Stones showed that Mourinho is seeking more.

Manolas holds an esteemed reputation in Serie A, and the Rome giants may consider it good business to sanction such a swift sale if they feel confident of securing an equally talented successor.

Up front, Mourinho could have one more striker at his disposal soon, too, following a report from the Sun's Andrew Dillon claiming the Blues will bring Bamford back early from his season-long loan at Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old has played just 16 minutes of Premier League football since moving to Selhurst Park, and it's suggested Chelsea aren't happy with his lack of first-team involvement.

The stage appeared set for Bamford to finally make an impression on England's top flight this season after scoring 19 goals while on loan at Championship side Middlesbrough in 2014-15.

It's hardly been the breakthrough campaign the Lincolnshire native was hoping for, though, despite being one of the numerous youngsters handed a new deal prior to being farmed out this year, per Chelsea Youth:

It's no surprise the reigning Premier League champions should hold a certain pride over how Bamford is being used, given the young, up-and-coming English striker has the potential to go far.

There may be another top-flight outfit better placed to hand Bamford a first-team chance, and there's sure to be a host of Championship clubs interested in his services given that he's already proven at that level.

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Prior to his Boro loan, Bamford established himself as something of a Derby County favourite after bagging eight goals in 21 Championship appearances throughout the 2013-14 campaign.

Palace manager Alan Pardew has struggled to find space for the forward as the likes of Dwight Gayle and Connor Wickham stand above him in the pecking order, and a return to Chelsea is on the horizon.