Chelsea Transfer News: World-Class Names Linked in Latest January Rumours

With reports claiming that Didier Drogba is set to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign, per Anthony Chapman of the Express, Chelsea will undoubtedly be on the lookout for players to come in and bolster their striking options.

It is suggested that the Blues may not wait until the summer to add to their array forwards.

Chapman claims in a separate piece that Internazionale striker Mauro Icardi is a player Jose Mourinho is looking to get signed up as quickly as possible. The Italian giants are reportedly keen to cash in on their Argentinian striker, and the Blues are said to be willing to bid £20 million for his services.

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Here’s a look at what Chelsea would be getting for that kind of money:

If Blues fans are hopeful of signing a forward who is stylistically comparable to Drogba, Icardi isn’t it. The 21-year-old is a good point man, but he relies more on his touch and in-game intelligence to bring others into play instead of brute physicality.

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What will potentially encourage the Blues further is Icardi’s clinical edge in front of goal; he's scored eight goals in 14 Serie A starts this season, per WhoScored.com.

But he’s a player who’s still learning about leading the line, and Mourinho typically prefers to go after thoroughbred talents. One player who has established himself in that category so far this season is Swansea City’s Wilfried Bony, who has reportedly caught the attention of the Blues with his sensational exploits in front of goal.

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According to Duncan Wright of the Daily Star, Drogba himself has recommended his compatriot to Mourinho, and the Blues are now weighing up making a £30 million move for the Swansea man. As noted by Squawka, Bony showcased his ability as a consistent goalscorer over the past calendar year:

The Blues look likely to face some serious competition for his signature, though. According to Wright’s piece, Mourinho would prefer to wait until the summer before striking a deal, but he claims Manchester City and Liverpool will make a mid-season move for the Ivorian.

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That report is supported by a piece from Steve Stammers in the Mirror, which says that City will bid £25 million to bring the player to the Etihad Stadium in January. Swansea seem reluctantly open to a sale as well, with club chairman Huw Jenkins admitting earlier in the week that every player has a price, per Paul Gorst of the Mirror:

"

The one thing I’ve learned over time is never say never in football. But officially at the moment we haven’t had any contact from Manchester City or anyone else about Wilfried.

We are in the same position as any other club. Things are as they are. No one wants to lose players and if you are to lose players it has to be for the right offer.

Bigger clubs than us have to deal with that—it’s the nature of football these days. We are realistic about that.

"

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After being gripped by financial turmoil in the past, Swansea will be sensible when receiving a major offer for any player. With that in mind, they’d surely be willing to sell if the price is right. From Chelsea’s point of view, Bony—a player who marries power and poise so expertly—could well be the ideal replacement for Drogba in the long term.

Swansea youth-team player Raheem Hanley actually compared the pair earlier in the season:

"

Drogba is the only person with a first touch in the air as good as wilfed bony and he's 36  #ballers

— Raheem Hanley (@raheemhanley) October 26, 2014"

But it doesn’t look as though Chelsea will be able to wait until the summer to land Bony. With City—who have a dearth of forwards to play in what is often a two-striker system—clearly interested, Mourinho could be prompted into a January move for the forward if he is desperate to add to his ranks.

Nonetheless, at this juncture, it’s the champions who look as though they could give Bony the game time he needs to continue growing as a player. Subsequently, that makes them the big favourites to land his signature.