Chelsea Transfer News: Rickie Lambert, Koke and More Eyed in Spree Rumours

Chelsea are "considering a shock move" for Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert and have also opened talks with Atletico Madrid's Koke, according to reports.

Darren Lewis of the Mirror links Lambert to an unlikely Stamford Bridge move, saying the Englishman could be identified as a replacement for Didier Drogba. Lewis notes the interest of Crystal Palace and Hull City, who may also tempt to rid Liverpool of their unneeded summer purchase.

Lambert started just his sixth Premier League game of the season on Saturday, helping the Reds to a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers, per WhoScored.com. He has netted only two goals in the division this campaign, compared to 13 with Southampton last year, and the striker needs a summer move to reignite his chances of returning to the England setup.

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Drogba has slowed considerably this campaign and is mainly called upon when Diego Costa and Loic Remy are injured for Chelsea.

The 37-year-old has made just seven starts in the domestic division and is no longer the player who used to bulldoze his way through defences without a second thought. It's questionable whether Lambert would want to follow in this bit-part role, though, or whether he'd rather be the main asset of a lesser club.

Blues Enter Koke Talks

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Chelsea fans will perhaps be more excited to hear speculation suggesting the Blues are "in talks" with Atletico over Koke, as reported by Tony Banks of the Express. Banks identified the player's reported £44 million release clause and suggests Chelsea would offer £30 million plus Filipe Luis, who has failed to knock Cesar Azpilicueta out of the first team this season.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone has struggled to replace Luis since his departure last year, so the Brazilian's return could fill a void at the Vicente Calderon. Banks indicated Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo recently watched Koke and that "initial talks" have begun over the Spanish playmaker's possible switch.

Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail expects Chelsea "to spend big" when the season concludes. He said manager Jose Mourinho is "planning talks" with owner Roman Abramovich in order to secure the funds needed to turn the Premier League champions into a European force.

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Mourinho will be desperate to win the Champions League in west London—having previously led Porto and Inter Milan to the promised land—but this year's round-of-16 loss to Paris Saint-Germain indicated the club will continue to fall well short without investment.

Mokbel believes Mourinho will look to secure "a new goalkeeper, centre-back, left-back, attacking midfielder and striker." B/R UK's Stan Collymore recently discussed where the champions rank among those before them:

Despite winning the English title with three matches remaining, Mourinho isn't the type of manager who becomes complacent. He will look to secure valuable deals during the summer, moving on players who no longer fit in with his vision at the club.

This could free up room for the likes of Koke, and maybe, surprisingly, Lambert. Mourinho values all of his squad, from first-team match-winners to those who provide respite to key players. A move for someone of Lambert's qualities cannot be ruled out, particularly as Mourinho is the type of manager who can get the best out of faltering talent.