Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Marko Grujic and Juan Cuadrado Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly "leading the race" to sign Red Star Belgrade youngster Marko Grujic in January.

So reports Jose M. Diaz of Spanish outlet Todomercadoweb (h/t Metro's Will Giles), with the Blues now ahead of the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United in the battle for his signature.

The 19-year-old was part of Serbia's World Cup winning under-20 side in New Zealand earlier in 2015 and has enjoyed a strong start to the season with three goals and three assists from midfield.

Chelsea are fairly thin in the centre of the park beyond Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, and the pair have been in abysmal form this season with the Blues seriously struggling.

Coveted youngster Grujic could just be the shot in the arm Chelsea need and his arrival would give the squad some much needed depth. Here are the skills Blues fans can expect from the teenager should he arrive at Stamford Bridge:

While the majority of young players who arrive at Chelsea are immediately loaned back out, the Blues' struggles and the significant lack of form shown by Matic and Fabregas present a rare but promising opportunity for Grujic to establishing himself as a regular on the team.

One player who struggled to do so was Juan Cuadrado, who is currently spending the season on loan with Serie A champions Juventus.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

It seems the Colombian could be set for a permanent stay in Turin; according to the Mirror's Alex Richards the club's hierarchy are "increasingly confident" they will be able to buy him outright. Per Richards' report, Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta said:

"

We have no right of redemption, at Chelsea’s request, it is just a loan.

He’s expressed his happiness at being here with us, and [his happiness to] continue here in future.

We’ll look at things with Chelsea at the appropriate time, but it’s very likely that there will be a good conclusion.

"

The winger struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge after joining in January. The Telegraph's Jason Burt believes better players were available, such as Douglas Costa, who is now tearing up the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich:

Cuadrado has impressed in his short time with the Bianconeri though.

Football writer Adam Digby reveals the strong performances the 27-year-old has put in both going forward and defensively, while fellow writer Mohamed Mohamed isn't surprised by his renewed form:

"

Look at Cuadrado prospering with Juve. It's almost as if he's a very good winger in his prime who never got a chance with Chelsea. Hmmm

— Mohamed Mohamed (@MoeSquare) October 18, 2015"

Cuadrado's future could depend on that of Blues manager Jose Mourinho though.

Chelsea have won just three games in the Premier League this season and the Special One is under serious pressure to turn things around.

Should Mourinho fail to do so and suffer the wrath of owner Roman Abramovich, a new manager may wish to bring the reinvigorated Cuadrado back to the Premier League to give him another chance to prove himself.

Otherwise it appears the winger is more content with life in Italy, so equally the Blues might just cut their losses and move on.