Chelsea Transfer News: Sami Khedira Offer Reported, Starlet Marcus Rashford Eyed

Chelsea have reportedly moved ahead of long-linked Arsenal in the race to sign Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira with the German's Los Blancos contract set to expire in 2015.

The Blues, according to Rhys Turrell in the Daily Star, are lining up a lucrative pre-contract offer for Khedira in an effort to claim his signature.

With the World Cup winner's deal at the Bernabeu set to expire in under a year, it is believed that Real would accept an offer of around £10 million in January rather than see him go for free in the summer.

If he were indeed to make the switch to Stamford Bridge, it is unclear where he would fit into a team that already includes top central-midfield duo Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic.

The 27-year-old Khedira is unlikely to be happy without regular first-team football but, as sportswriter Kevin Palmer alludes to, Jose Mourinho's high-performing side are not currently in need of a defensive midfielder like Khedira:

"

Evening Standard reporting Chelsea are the new favourites to sign Sami Khedira in Jan ahead of Arsenal. Do they really need him? #CFC #AFC

— Kevin Palmer (@kpsundayworld) October 15, 2014"

However, he would certainly add terrific depth to an already strong squad and, if he is indeed available for as little as £10 million, it would be foolish to pass on him—especially as he already has a relationship with Mourinho after their time together in Madrid.

Buda Mendes/Getty Images

For Real's part, they are reportedly lining up Brazilian Cruzeiro midfielder Lucas Silva as a replacement, with the 21-year-old admitting he is keen on the idea, per Marca: "Of course I'd like to play for Real Madrid, it would be an honour. But for that to happen, an agreement between the clubs would need to be put in place first. I'm a Cruzeiro player and have so much respect for my club. If a club like Real Madrid came along, I wouldn't turn them down."

Meanwhile, Chelsea have their eyes on another youngster in the shape of Manchester United 16-year-old Marcus Rashford.

The young forward can sign a professional contract when he turns 17 on October 31 and, according to Colin Harvey in the Daily Star, is of interest not just to Chelsea, but to Manchester City and Arsenal, also.

However, whether or not the Blues will be able to prise him away from Old Trafford remains to be seen, as he is likely to stay in Manchester, although the Red Devils are reportedly currently unwilling to match Rashford's wage demands.