Chelsea Transfer News: Jamie Vardy Targeted Amid Roman Abramovich Rumours

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy is "likely to be" interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink's "No. 1 priority," with owner Roman Abramovich reportedly "ready to bankroll a big move" in January.

According to the Mirror's John Cross, Abramovich is prepared to spend serious money in the winter transfer window and has given Hiddink his backing to identify targets who can salvage the Blues' season, with the in-form Foxes man highlighted as a probable target for the Dutchman.

Hiddink himself admitted he was open to doing business in January if necessary.

Per Cross, he said:

"

Let's go into the next few games and then we'll see.

We didn't stipulate, but we know also that it's always open. 

But first I like to embed a bit now in the first days and games, and then we'll see what happens. It depends on the results.

"

Vardy has been in simply breathtaking form this season with 15 goals and five assists to his name.

As Squawka Football demonstrates, the Englishman has not only developed a potent partnership with team-mate Riyad Mahrez, he has also been exceptionally consistent in his contributions to the team:

As a result of Vardy's form, along with Mahrez, Leicester find themselves in the position that was last season occupied by the Stamford Bridge club—top of the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are languishing in 15th place, three points above the drop and 20 behind the Foxes.

In their 17 league games, the Blues have netted just 21 times as the likes of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have failed to spark or match their prolific runs in front of goal from last year.

More firepower is clearly needed and, with that in mind, a player in Vardy's form fits the bill.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

The 28-year-old is not only a clinical finisher but his incredible pace, tenacity and raw desire make him a brilliant player to have onside and a nightmare for the opposition to deal with.

Indeed, though he is far less technically adept and despite his form not nearly being at the same level of ability, he is somewhat reminiscent of Barcelona forward Luis Suarez.

Like Suarez, Vardy's willingness to run at and terrorise defenders also yields further results in terms of winning penalties, per OptaJoe, though the Englishman has largely avoided the Uruguayan's reputation for going down too easily:

In spite of his incredible run, he's not the marquee forward many Blues fans will be hoping for, and as he turns 29 in January he's not a long-term solution either.

Vardy wouldn't be brought in as that, though, as he would largely be used to keep Chelsea ticking over until they can sign a top-class striker in the summer.

Nevertheless, Vardy will be exceptionally difficult to prise away from the King Power Stadium in January.

According to the Leicester Mercury, Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri is adamant their top stars will be staying put at least until the end of the season.

Further, there's little reason to want to leave high-flying Leicester at the moment—especially for a club struggling in the manner Chelsea have been and the atmosphere of negativity surrounding Jose Mourinho's sacking.

Vardy could well get cherry-picked by a bigger team at some point, but it's not likely to be January and not likely to be Chelsea.