Chelsea Transfer News: Rumours on Big-Money Deals Eyed by Jose Mourinho

Chelsea are reportedly watching developments at Liverpool after Jordan Henderson allegedly turned down a new deal with the Anfield club.

David Woods, chief football writer for the Daily Star, says that Brendan Rodgers has an uphill task convincing Henderson to stay at the club despite the player being expected to replace Steven Gerrard as club captain in the summer.

Woods writes that Henderson has turned down an £80,000-per-week offer from the club, and the highly rated midfielder will have just 12 months left on his current contract come the end of the season. 

The situation will set off alarm bells among Liverpool fans, with the potential exit of Raheem Sterling also on the cards, per Woods.

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Henderson has been a revelation for Liverpool over the past 18 months, and he has fully justified the huge fee Liverpool paid for him when he signed from Sunderland in 2011.

The absence of Gerrard due to injury and suspension has seen the player develop into one of the Premier League's most capable midfielders, and he would not look out of place in Jose Mourinho's squad.

Rodgers has also admitted that the potential failure to land Champions League football could have an impact on his ability to sign players, saying, per Woods: "I think most players want to be in the Champions League. Players want to play at the top level of the game and if you're not in the Champions League it makes it difficult for you."

This is one element Chelsea will be able to offer Henderson should he become available, giving the midfielder another opportunity to prove himself in Europe's biggest club competition.

The 24-year-old has developed into a mature and rounded player, and he now accepts more responsibility.

This season, he has also improved his service and contribution in the final third, scoring six times and posting seven assists in his 30 league appearances, per WhoScored.com.

A move to Chelsea would be one of the biggest shocks in recent English transfer history, but Liverpool and the west London club have previously done big business together, with the then-British-record deal for Fernando Torres being the most notable.

Chelsea To Plunder Atletico Madrid Once Again For Koke

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If Chelsea cannot tie up a deal for Henderson if he becomes available, their midfield options could still be boosted, with rumours suggesting they will make a move for Spain international Koke.

Louis Sealey of Metro reports that Mourinho is ready to bid £22.1 million for the Atletico Madrid creative talent after grabbing Diego Costa and Filipe Luis from the Vicente Calderon last summer

Simon Johnson of The London Evening Standard recently proposed that the Special One will use Luis as bait to capture Koke.

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Johnson highlighted the good working relationship between the two clubs, which he believes increases Chelsea's chances of purchasing the midfielder:

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The two clubs have a strong relationship, which has developed since the Blues agreed to loan keeper Thibaut Courtois there between 2011-14. Former British record transfer Fernando Torres was also allowed to move back to Atletico, his first club, on a free transfer in January.

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Simeone will surely be displeased to lose yet another prize asset from his La Liga-winning team, but bringing Luis back into the fold would soften the blow.

However, the Atletico coach knows he would be losing one of Spain's best midfielders, recently saying of the player, per Johnson: "[Koke] is one of those all-round midfielders who is gifted at reading the game, he knows how to play in different positions in the centre and he has very good peripheral vision."

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The big issue concerning Koke is his suitability to the English game. The Premier League is physically demanding, and there is a possibility he would struggle to settle.

Chelsea's current tactics could also see the player regularly demoted to the bench, something he is currently not used to.

There is also the small matter of his favoured position being the left side of midfield, which is currently occupied by Eden Hazard. There is the possibility to play Koke behind the diminutive Belgian ace on the pitch, but it is unlikely Mourinho would upset the current balance of his midfield to orchestrate this. 

Koke is a wonderful talent, and he still has untapped potential, but whether Chelsea is the right club for him is highly questionable, given the Blues' already excellent core.