Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Axel Witsel and Radamel Falcao Rumours

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly looking to expand his options in the centre of midfield over the summer and is eyeing Zenit St Petersburg’s Axel Witsel as a potential target.

The Blues cruised to the Premier League title last season, but Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic were tasked with a heavy workload during the term.

Mourinho reportedly sees £24 million-valued Witsel as the answer to his depth issues in midfield, and he is also set to let John Obi Mikel leave, per Tony Banks in the Express.

Juventus had been previously reported as hot favourites to sign the want-away defensive midfielder, but Chelsea believe they can hijack the move, per Belgian football writer Kristof Terreur:

Witsel has been eyed as a replacement for the potentially departing Paul Pogba at Juventus, but the Frenchman's transfer could drag on with numerous top clubs interested, per Simon Johnson in the London Evening Standard. 

Chelsea could jump the gun by getting in an early offer for the Belgian and securing a move before Juventus have dealt with Pogba's future.

The 26-year-old Witsel would certainly be an upgrade on the ever-underwhelming Mikel, as his distribution is excellent and he is effective going forward.

However, as noted by Johnson, Witsel may be loath to move to Stamford Bridge to play second fiddle to Matic and Fabregas, especially with the European Championships approaching next summer.

Chelsea could certainly do with more depth in the midfield as over-reliance on their current duo is dangerous, with fitness issues always a concern.

Witsel would be a fine signing, but he may be difficult to persuade away from Juve if the Serie A champions do come in for him.

Falcao Hints at Blues Switch

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Somewhat surprisingly given his woeful season at Manchester United last term, Radamel Falcao is looking set to be given another chance in the Premier League with Chelsea.

The Colombian striker is reportedly close to securing a season-long loan deal at Stamford Bridge from Monaco, per BBC Sport's Dan Roan.

Mourinho clearly seems to think he can revive the fortunes of the 29-year-old who was so devastating at Porto and Atletico Madrid.

And Falcao himself, when asked if reports about his switch to Chelsea were true, certainly did not rule it out, per Sky Sports: "It can be, you will know soon."

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson believes Mourinho may be the man to return Falcao to his former glory:

However, tactical expert Jonathan Wilson is baffled by the potential switch given Falcao's continued poor form at the ongoing Copa America:

The forward certainly underwhelmed with the Red Devils and he was a shadow of his former self at Old Trafford.

But he seemingly is going to have another chance in England at Chelsea, and it remains to be seen whether he will rise to that challenge or fail once again.