Chelsea Transfer News: Top Rumours Surrounding Blues on New Year's Day 2015

New Year's Day 2015 means the January transfer window is right around the corner, and fans of Chelsea probably can't wait to find out what the Blues have in store for them once the wheeling and dealing starts.

The Blues had a fantastic summer and quickly rose to the top of the Premier League standings as a result, and the club now enters 2015 in pole position for the title.

Massive signings aren't needed—but the fans wouldn't mind Roman Abramovich pulling another rabbit out of the hat, however.

Chelsea's needs are small, and as a result, the club can focus on just a handful of players. Here are the latest rumours coming out of Stamford Bridge.

Conflicting Reports on Marco Reus

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Unsurprisingly, the international media have launched story after story linking Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus with moves to a multitude of clubs all over Europe in the past few days.

Le 10 Sport (h/t Daily Star's Bruce Archer) claims Jose Mourinho has told Abramovich to bring him to Stamford Bridge, Marca (h/t Daily Star's Rhys Turrell) says he's already agreed to move to Real Madrid and Punto Pelota are sure he's moving to Atletico Madrid, via Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez:

So, what can we make of all of this? Outside of the fact Reus is quite popular, very little.

The 25-year-old Germany international is the prize of this year's transfer dealings, playing for a thoroughly underwhelming Borussia Dortmund side and reportedly having a buyout clause of just £20 million set to activate in the summer.

Reus is one of the world's top forwards, combining pace, technique and vision with a keen eye for goal. Injuries have been a concern in the past 12 months, but as explained by Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe, the versatile attacker is well worth the risk:

The key will be the price tag. Reus' reported buyout clause of £20 million would lead you to believe Borussia will be willing to cash in during the January window, but they won't just be accepting any offer.

They'll need Reus in their push to rise back up the Bundesliga table and secure European football—not to mention the financial gains that come with it. Don't expect a £30 million bid to do the trick; as Tighe states, £40 million will be the absolute minimum.

Dinamo Zagreb's Zdravko Mamic Blasts Andrej Kramaric Move

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Croatia international Andrej Kramaric hasn't officially signed for Chelsea yet, but judging by Dinamo Zagreb executive director Zdravko Mamic's latest comments on the matter, it's safe to say Croatian insiders believe the deal to be all but done.

As reported by Jutarnji's Davorin Olivari (h/t Sport Witness), Mamic reserved some pretty hard criticism for Kramaric's father and Rijeka, the forward's current club:

"

I am familiar with the offer of Chelsea for our national team and Rijeka player Andrej Kramaric. If this comes true, the dad of Kramaric will kill football for his own child.

Unfortunately, Chelsea have no interest in Andrej Kramaric as a player, but as a potential investment or gift to a sports friend. Using the influence of Chelsea, Roman Abramovich entertains friends at Vitesse. If this transfer is realised, it will be football murder for Kramaric, he doesn't deserve it. In addition, it would be the most embarrassing move in the history of the football club Rijeka.

"

Some context is perhaps in order: Kramaric, who has long been touted as Croatia's best young talent, used to play for Dinamo. His development stunted in Zagreb, and upon moving to Rijeka, he rediscovered his old spark and turned into the devastating forward everyone always knew he could be.

He only moved to Rijeka in the summer of 2013 and recently renewed his contract, and the fact the club will now get to cash in on the 23-year-old likely doesn't sit well with Mamic.

The transfer saga surrounding Kramaric has already seen its fair share of twists and turns, and fans may be wondering what all the fuss is about. As shared by Squawka Football, it's quite simple:

Kramaric is an excellent striker, and while this continuing saga is starting to get tiresome, there's no denying he would make for an excellent addition to the Blues' impressive amount of future stars.

If the deal is truly all but sealed, Chelsea could have a massive steal on their hands. Kramaric will have to prove he was worth all the headaches once he arrives at Stamford Bridge, but if he continues to bang in the goals the way he has throughout most of his career, all of that will soon be forgotten.

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