Chelsea Transfer News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Contract Offer Reported, Top Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly offered Zlatan Ibrahimovic a hefty contract as they look to steal a march on their rivals in snapping up the Paris Saint-Germain striker, who will be a free agent this summer.

That's according to French outlet Foot Mercato (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson), which reported that the Blues have put a "two-year deal worth £186,000 a week" on the table. 

Ibrahimovic told beIN Sports (h/t BBC Sport) that he does not plan to stay with Les Parisiens beyond the end of the season when his current deal expires.

Despite turning 34 in October, the striker has continued to find the net with remarkable regularity, bagging 35 goals and 16 assists in 39 games in all competitions this season, and has failed to score just seven times in Ligue 1 in that time.

The Swede scored four goals in an astonishing 9-0 victory for PSG on Sunday, earning him the plaudits of commentator Matt Spiro:

French football writer Andrew Gibney believes Les Parisiens cannot afford to lose a player of his quality:

Indeed, his haul on Sunday saw him reach an impressive milestone:

Chelsea have need of a top-quality centre-forward, as they have few options beyond Diego Costa, and the Spain international is difficult to rely upon due to his behavioural issues.

Ibrahimovic might only be a short-term solution, but his incredible scoring record makes him an exceptional candidate to work as a stopgap.

The Blues usually employ a policy of only offering one-year deals to players over 30, but it's possible they could make an exception based on Ibrahimovic's undoubted quality, or they might be hoping to cash in on him after a season rather than lose him on a free transfer, as PSG will.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

In other news, Barcelona are reportedly interested in Chelsea youngster Kenedy. According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t Ed Malyon of the Mirror), Barca "have extensive scouting notes on the forward, having followed him in Brazil" and could be ready to add him to their forward options, with Sandro Ramirez failing to impress.

The youngster was recruited last summer but has made just 15 appearances this season and completed 90 minutes once. As the Guardian's Barney Ronay noted when Chelsea took on PSG in the second leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie, starts have been hard to come by for the 20-year-old:

Despite ostensibly being a forward or a winger, the Brazilian has often been forced to fill in at left-back. BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand questioned the decision to play him there, and while he praised his dribbling ability, he remains undecided on the youngster's delivery:

Kenedy would have a similarly tough time breaking into Barca's team with plenty of talent ahead of him, but Luis Enrique has shown willingness to rotate his team to give youngsters time, with Munir El Haddadi playing more than double Kenedy's 690 minutes in all competitions.

The Blaugrana could use further cover for their star trio, but it would still be somewhat surprising if they did opt for Kenedy over a more experienced player.