Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Eden Hazard, Kurt Zouma, More

With the January transfer window fast approaching, reports and rumours of possible deals are coming in quickly. Chelsea's first half of the 2014-15 campaign has been a very successful one, and with the right moves made in January, that success should lead to silverware by the end of the season.

Apart from adding depth and looking at the future, there's little the Blues can do in January to actively increase the talent in their starting XI. With no clear needs and plenty of experience on the pitch, Jose Mourinho will turn to younger contributors and impending free agents.

Here are the latest reports to emerge from Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard Set to Sign New Deal

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Manager Mourinho confirmed he fully expects Belgium international Eden Hazard to sign a new contract, putting an end to any rumours linking him with a January move. As reported by the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, Mourinho now expects the winger to chase silverware:

"

He will sign, I was never worried about it, since the moment I met his father.

Everything was very clear about their intentions and their happiness to stay at Chelsea.

After that, it becomes a numbers situation. When it becomes a number situation I'm more than happy to be out, but my club always told me that the situation would finish with a new contract. 

Can he become one of Chelsea's all-time greats? I think so. He needs to win titles, because titles make players historic.

I don't know players who are considered legends in clubs without winning titles. He has to do that. But the potential, everybody knows.

"

Mokbel suggests a five-year deal worth £200,000 per week, exactly the kind of numbers one of the most exciting players in world football would demand on the open market.

Hazard has been a smash hit since moving to London from Lille, and as one of Mourinho's favourite players, fans and pundits alike always assumed he'd be signing his new deal at some point in the 2014-15 season.

His blistering form in recent weeks, as noted by OptaJoe, should only speed up the process:

The 23-year-old was never likely to leave in the January window, but confirmation from the boss himself will please the fans, nonetheless.

Kurt Zouma Loan Deal?

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Reports from Spain and Turkey indicate Chelsea and Besiktas are in advanced discussions regarding a loan deal for talented centre-back Kurt Zouma, as reported by the Daily Star's Jack Wilson.

The 20-year-old Frenchman spent last season on loan at Saint-Etienne and has not seen plenty of minutes in 2014-15, primarily playing in cup matches. According to WhoScored.com, he's yet to make a single start in the Premier League.

A six-month loan to Turkey would see the youngster play more regularly, something that could only benefit his progression. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson noticed the rumours are quickly picking up steam, although he'd rather see a return to the French Ligue 1:

While it makes sense to speed up Zouma's development, he's currently Chelsea's primary backup at the centre-back position, and it is doubtful Mourinho would be comfortable parting with the youngster without a viable backup plan.

Branislav Ivanovic can theoretically move inside, but keeping another talented centre-back in the squad seems like a more prudent and logical approach to the remainder of the season.

Unless Mourinho is planning on bringing in a veteran reserve, don't expect Zouma to leave the club in January.

Blues Miss Out on Joaquin Correa

Highly touted Argentinian midfielder Joaquin Correa is on the verge of completing a transfer to Sampdoria, spurning Chelsea and Manchester City in the process. According to Football Italia, the 20-year-old is in Genoa undergoing a medical ahead of the deal being completed.

Their claim was supported by video evidence, courtesy of Gianluca Di Marzio:

The midfielder is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in all of Argentina, and via the Daily Mirror's Ed Malyon, compatriot Diego Milito speaks very highly of him:

Correa will cost Sampdoria €6.5 million, with an additional €3.5 million being paid by a group of third-party owners, according to A Bola (h/t Football Italia).

The Daily Star's Paul Hetherington previously revealed City had lined up a bid for the youngster, who has instead chosen the possibility to play regular football for one of Serie A's mid-table sides.

Questions regarding Correa's work permit likely complicated a transfer, as the FA have some of the strictest regulations in all of football, per Law In Sport's Jake Cohen. Italy's regulations are far looser when it comes to non-EU players.

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