Chelsea Transfer News: Top Rumours, Huge Names Linked Ahead of January Window

Chelsea have reportedly given Diego Costa "two weeks" to prove he can remain as the club's primary striker, as Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid and Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain are mooted as potential January transfer window replacements. 

Jack de Menezes of the Independent reported manager Jose Mourinho could move for one of the strikers, after the Guardian's Dominic Fifield said tensions have grown between the Special One and Costa. 

De Menezes said the Blues will judge Costa over the next fortnight before deciding to move in the upcoming transfer window.

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Fifield also wrote Chelsea could look at short-term options—with Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie linked—but neither player would offer the genuine quality the Premier League champions need to replace Costa. 

Griezmann's reputation has exploded in the past 12 months, and he has gone from young hopeful to a potential world-class striker. 

The Frenchman is a very different attacker to Costa, relying on guile over power, but he could help the Chelsea attack evolve into a more fluid unit. 

The striker has continued to plunder the goals for Atleti this term, scoring nine goals in 17 appearances in La Liga and the Champions League, according to WhoScored.com.

Higuain would offer Mourinho a more like-for-like replacement for Costa, operating as a genuine No. 9 in Serie A. 

He is a singular threat through the middle and would allow Chelsea to continue with a lone striker in their favoured formation.

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However, Mourinho claimed he will not be asking the Chelsea board for new players in January, preferring to keep his confidence in his current crop, as quoted by Fifield:

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I will not ask for any changes. I will not ask the board [for players] in January. I’m happy with the players I have. I trust the players I have. I don’t need to clean the dressing room, and I don’t need to ask the club to spend money in January. I’m not saying I won’t sign anyone. I’m saying I won’t ask the club to do that. I don’t have the right to do it, in my opinion.

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According to Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail, Chelsea could turn their attentions to Jamie Vardy after the Leicester player proved himself to be the league's form striker.

BBC Sport’s Guy Mowbray recently lauded the England international, who has improved dramatically since the Foxes' promotion from the Championship:

Despite Mourinho's assertions about January signings, the Blues must inject a fresh wave of talent in the new year if they wish to climb the league.

Undoubtedly, the players who won the title last season haven't suddenly become poor overnight, but as a team, they are suffering and need new options. 

Griezmann would be the perfect addition for Chelsea; a player who is ready for the biggest stage, and he has proved in the Spanish capital he is destined to become one of the world's very best operators.

However, Vardy would be a more affordable option if the Blues want a quick fix before making a full assault on the transfer market in the summer.