Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours and Speculation as January Window Looms

Kwadwo Asamoah is set to become Chelsea’s big-name January signing, according to reports, as hyperbole reaches stratospheric levels on the cusp of a new year and an open transfer window.

That’s after reports from GhanaSoccerNet.com (h/t Jamie Sanderson of Metro) has boldly claimed that Jose Mourinho is willing to splash out £24 million on the versatile 26-year-old, who, according to Sanderson’s piece, has been deemed surplus to requirements by Italian champions Juventus.

Here’s a look at what Asamoah would potentially bring to Stamford Bridge:

A quick glance at the player in question, and the principles held by the Chelsea manager, and this rumour doesn’t look outlandish. After all, Asamoah is a diligent worker, an understatedly clever player and a talent capable of fulfilling myriad different roles with distinction. 

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But there are a few underpinning factors that’ll prevent this one from happening, the most notable being that the player is currently out of action with a long-term injury. Indeed, according to Sky Sports, he will be on the sidelines for at least three months after undergoing surgery in early December.

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The second is that Mourinho himself has insisted he is happy with his squad and that no players will be brought in during the January window, per Mark Bowering of Goal.com. With that in mind, when it comes to Chelsea, it is probably more appropriate to take a look at players who could be on their way out of the club midseason.

Fernando Torres may already be out on-loan away from the Blues, but the situation regarding his future remains hugely intriguing. According to the Spanish press, the deal taking the 30-year-old back to his boyhood club Atletico Madrid is all but completed, as we can see here courtesy of 101 Great Goals:

It’ll be intriguing to see how Torres fares at Atletico, but it is becoming abundantly clear—if it wasn't already—that he has absolutely no future at Chelsea. The Spaniard is in desperate need of a spark and from his point of view, hopefully a return to his homeland will give him the requisite impetus to rediscover some kind of form.

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From a Chelsea perspective, keeping Torres off the wage bill will be ideal and in Diego Costa, they have a forward who is putting their former No. 9’s failings into stark contrast indeed, per Squawka Football:

Another player who has failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge is Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian was drafted into the club 12 months ago, but he’s yet to serve up the stellar form he showcased during his time with FC Basel and reports have linked him with a midseason move away from the club.

According to GianlucaDiMarzio.net, Salah is a target for Internazionale, with the player’s representatives set to hold showdown talks about the his future.

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Roberto Mancini, manager of the Serie A giants, has also highlighted the winger as a potential January target, citing him as a "very interesting young prospect" per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Vaishali Bhardwaj of Metro). The Italian also confirmed the club are on the look out for a player in Salah's mode, per the aforementioned piece:

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An offensive winger is one of our targets, but we’ll see what happens in the transfer window in January.

We must look at those who are not playing, who lack motivation and are unhappy where they are.

"

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Here’s a look at what the Nerazzurri could potentially be getting from the player:

As noted by DiMarzio, Sunderland and Atletico Madrid are also interested in the player, and at this juncture it would make little sense for Chelsea to prevent him from moving away from the club. Admittedly, the Blues look likely to challenge on four trophy fronts in 2015, but even so, Salah is so far down the pecking order it’s difficult to see him getting many games.

Salah showcased his abilities in earnest during his time in Switzerland and in the Champions League; it’s a great shame to see a young player of his quality confined to the bench. He needs games to accrue sharpness and surely the Blues will not stand in his way if Salah’s representatives make that abundantly clear.