Chelsea Transfer News: Elite Players Targeted by Guus Hiddink, Top Blues Rumours

Leicester City are aiming to fend off Chelsea's interest in Jamie Vardy following reports of a double-your-money wage increase, while Jonathan Calleri's transfer to Stamford Bridge isn't as complete as once thought.

John Cross of the Mirror claimed the Foxes will offer their striking sensation £80,000 a week to remain at the King Power Stadium, despite putting pen to paper on his current £40,000-a-week deal just last year.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

It's no secret the former Fleetwood Town forward has been one of world football's revelations in 2015, and Chelsea are understood to be hunting his signature in a bid to turn their campaign around.

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones listed Vardy as one of the most improved players in the Premier League this year, with Vardy having netted 15 goals in his 17 appearances under Claudio Ranieri:

Ex-Chelsea manager Ranieri is adamant he's keeping his stars this winter amid interest from Europe's powerhouses, but Guus Hiddink's Blues are as eager as any to steer their ship on course this January.

Earlier this month, BBC Sport quoted Ranieri after the Italian was quizzed about Leicester's chances of cashing in on Vardy or Riyad Mahrez, the club's other breakout star: "No-one can buy Vardy or Mahrez in January. They don't have the money and they don't have a price."

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Diego Costa has been one of the Chelsea players majorly out of form so far this season after netting just three Premier League goals, and Vardy looks like the more proven asset based on current form.

The England international would also bring the added benefit of fitting into the squad as a homegrown player, but Chelsea nonetheless face a monumental task in convincing the Foxes to sell.

Ivan Fernandez/Associated Press

Elsewhere, a deal for Boca Juniors sensation Calleri was thought to be a done deal at Stamford Bridge, but reports have now surfaced to suggest those claims were wide of the mark.

Sport Witness cited a report for Goal in November that claimed Calleri would move to west London for €10 million, but the move has been halted due to passport issues. The forward is quoted telling Spanish daily Marca he's happy to stick with Boca if the move doesn't materialise: 

"

It creates a lot of happiness and means I'm doing well the year and a half I've had with Boca. I am very interested in the Premier League, Italian and Spanish. Of the latter I see a lot of matches of Real Madrid and Barcelona. In England it's Chelsea and Manchester City.

"

OptaPaolo provided a glimpse at the 22-year-old's scoring statistics for the year, having helped Boca claim the 2014-15 Copa Argentina and this year's Primera Division title:

It's now suggested the Argentinian ace is bound for Inter instead, and he told native broadcaster TyC Sports the transfer is practically complete (h/t ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell):

"

The negotiations are very far advanced, but it's a very difficult decision. Almost everything's done from Boca's side -- it's just up to me now to reach an agreement. Every player would like to play for Inter. It's a train that passes only once.

I'm delighted with the way Boca, a great club, have treated me. I would like to play in the Copa Libertadores, but I know that it's complicated. [Pablo Daniel] Osvaldo is coming back and I want to be playing with continuity.

"

Ex-Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini looks to have won the race for one of Argentina's hottest prospects, a player Chelsea could do with right now given their lack of goals this term.

More experienced assets may be the greater concern for the Blues given this season's crisis is so severe, but missing out on the signature of Calleri could nonetheless come to be a major blow.