Chelsea Transfer News: Javier Hernandez Targeted Amid Arsenal Rumours

Chelsea have entered the race to sign former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez and hope to dash Arsenal's chances of securing the Bayer Leverkusen player's services. 

Spanish outlet Don Balon (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro) claimed the Premier League champions will swoop for Chicharito in January and are confident of luring the Mexican goalscoring machine. 

The player has found a new lease on life in the Bundesliga since departing the Red Devils in the summer and has already hit 19 goals for his new club, per Bellshaw.

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Don Balon (h/t Liam Corless of the Mirror) previously said Chicharito's signature has become a priority for Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, but with Chelsea looking to restructure after the sacking of coach Jose Mourinho, their thirst for fresh players will be vast. 

The Mexico international was a popular figure at Old Trafford, but as manager Louis van Gaal stripped the squad back, he was a victim of transition.

According to Marca, Hernandez told Movistar+: "I spoke with Van Gaal and he said that I only had a 1 per cent chance of playing in my position, so I headed to Bayer. I felt confident from the very first day. I feel important, not just because of my goals, but because I feel that I'll start every game." 

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Chelsea are desperate to add a predatory striker to their options after Diego Costa's form evaporated this term. Fans booed the player during the team's 3-1 win against Sunderland in the Premier League as his popularity sinks to an all-time low, as reported by the Guardian's Dominic Fifield.

New interim boss Guus Hiddink will want to immediately add goals to his starting XI and said he is ready to drive Chelsea back up the table after Mourinho's acrimonious exit, per Fifield: “I am excited to return to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment. However, I am sure we can all turn this season around.” 

Chicharito would be a quick fix for Hiddink, and the striker knows what it takes to score goals in the English league. 

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United goalkeeper David De Gea rated the player as one of the best in the world in attack, per ESPN Deportes show Fuera De Juego (h/t ESPN FC.) The Spaniard was open with his opinion on Chicharito's abilities and was quoted as saying the following: 

"

I don't know [why he left]. These are decisions for the coach. But in my team he would always play. He was an undisputed starter before and player of the year at United. He can get you 20, 30 goals a season. I would like a lot to play with him again, hopefully it can happen.

"

United supporters will be hugely disappointed to see one of their favoured sons in the shirt of either Chelsea or Arsenal, but Van Gaal was clear he no longer wanted his talents at the club.

However, there is a question mark against the player's overall abilities, and doubts remain whether he is good enough to regularly play for a big club.

If Chelsea wish to add the striker as a backup to Costa or a new primary signing, he would be a tremendous addition to the bench. 

But Hernandez left United due to a lack of first-team opportunities, and he is unlikely to want to return to the Premier League for a reduced role.