Burak Yilmaz Told He Can Join Chelsea by Galatasaray Chairman Unal Aysal

Galatasaray chairman Unal Aysal has offered encouragement to Chelsea regarding a possible move for striker Burak Yilmaz, according to the Daily Mail's Rik Sharma.

Yilmaz, 28, shot to wider prominence last season with eight goals in nine Champions League appearances, per Soccerway, and is reportedly on the Blues' radar as they seek better striking options.

Regarding the speculation, Sharma reports Aysal succinctly commented: "If he wants to go and Chelsea are interested, why not?"

Ironically, it is Galatasaray's other big-name forward, Didier Drogba, who Chelsea are still attempting to replace, and Aysal is hoping to make a sizeable profit on his €5 million investment of just over 12 months ago.

With the Turkish club's season already in trouble domestically—having picked up just seven points in six games—and their Champions League hopes already looking faint, a January sale becomes ever more likely.

Galatasaray are seemingly out of the title race, and Bloomberg reports the club is facing a financial crisis, with $57 million of debt due to be repaid over the coming year. Yilmaz would appear the player most likely to be sacrificed.

British newspaper the Express reported on Wednesday that Chelsea are set to offer Demba Ba in a part-exchange deal, with reporter Ben Jefferson writing that Turkish media are suggesting that Liverpool and Arsenal are also interested in the player.

All three sides have been tipped to strengthen their attacking resources in January, but it is Chelsea who are most in need of better options, with their three established centre-forwards yet to register a league goal this campaign.

Whether Yilmaz ends up at Chelsea or not, Ba's January exit remains on the cards. The Senegalese striker came close to linking up with Arsenal on the final day of the summer transfer window, only for Jose Mourinho to cancel the deal late on, per the Daily Mail.

Goalless Spain striker Fernando Torres could also find his place at the club in jeopardy, having scored just 15 league goals since joining the club for £50 million two-and-a-half years ago.

Yilmaz is currently one of the hottest names in European football. Per Goal.com's Henry Jackson, he came close to joining Lazio this summer.

Latest reports, though, suggest England is the most likely destination. With Galatasaray's debt crisis looming large, Aysal is open to seeing a deal pushed through.