Chelsea Transfer News: Jonathan Calleri Talks Held, Antoine Griezmann Rumours

Chelsea are edging closer to bolstering their attacking ranks with the acquisition of Boca Juniors striker Jonathan Calleri, who could head to Stamford Bridge as soon as January.  

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, writing in his column for Calciomercato, a deal is close to being completed (via Jamie Sanderson of Metro).

While many Chelsea fans will be scratching their heads as to whom exactly they’re being linked with, Calleri perfectly fits their striker bill: young, fast, exciting and lethal.

The Argentinian has scored 10 goals in 26 league appearances so far this season, per WhoScored.com, displaying the kind of movement and intelligence of a player far beyond his tender 22 years.

Here’s a look at what Chelsea fans could have to look forward to:

The Blues have a been a little shy in front of goal this term, with the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa not quite firing on all cylinders.

However, Calleri is unlikely to be an immediate solution, as Romano revealed there’s a good chance he’ll be shipped off on loan upon his arrival in England:

That’s become standard procedure for the Blues, but the fact remains they still need first-team forwards to bring them out of their current rut.

Costa did get on the scoresheet as Chelsea returned to winning ways against Norwich City on Saturday, yet his and Radamel Falcao’s lack of consistency is a worry for manager Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese boss could, indeed, surprise many by putting Calleri straight into his starting lineup, and considering the Blues have put in a £9.8 million bid for the Boca star’s services, first-team appearances are a distinct possibility.

While nothing is concrete just yet, Boca Juniors president Daniel Angelici told Radio America that he'd be open to letting his star man leave the club, via Alex Harris of Daily Mirror:

"He could be sold at Christmas as there are good offers and we don't want to stand in his way. But at the moment, no deal has been closed, and there is only chatter."

One man who would have no trouble getting his hands on the blue shirt immediately is Antoine Griezmann, who has been linked with a January switch to Stamford Bridge, per Calciomercato (via Metro’s George Bellshaw).

The Blues aren’t the only club interested in the Atletico Madrid star, though, as Calciomercato reported Manchester City will go head-to-head with Chelsea for Griezmann’s signature.

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

The 24-year-old is likely to command a transfer fee of well over £30 million, but with Champions League football unlikely to grace Stamford Bridge next term, City may just have an upper hand in the Griezmann race.

Still, Mourinho will be more focused on reversing his side’s fortunes than spending big in the transfer market.

Chelsea have a generous run of fixtures ahead of January, and although they’re a long way away from the top four, the champions are improving every week and could find themselves back in contention once again come the new year.