Chelsea Transfer News: Mats Hummels, Antoine Griezmann Doors Open, Top Rumours

Reported Chelsea target Mats Hummels is considering his future at Borussia Dortmund as he approaches the final year of his contract, while Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone will reportedly allow Antoine Griezmann to move to Stamford Bridge—provided Atletico receive Diego Costa in exchange.

According to German TV (via Colin Harvey of the Daily Star), Hummels said: "I have to find out for myself what I want to do. ... I think about it a lot."

Per Colin Mafham of the Express, Chelsea are one of three English sides targeting the centre-back as they seek a replacement for stalwart and captain John Terry.

They will struggle to find a better candidate than Hummels, who captains BVB and has stood out as an outstanding defender for club and country for some time now, as the video below demonstrates:

According to Squawka, the centre-back has won an impressive 66 per cent of his duels in 24 Bundesliga appearances this season, including 41 of 70 tackles, 102 of 142 aerial duels and—particularly exceptional for a player in his position—completed 21 of 26 attempted take-ons.

Sports journalist Stefan Bienkowski has also highlighted his tendency to push upfield on occasion:

Because of his success rate in take-ons and all-round solid play, his forays up the pitch are hardly as worrying as those David Luiz used to embark upon at Stamford Bridge.

Further, he reads the game particularly well, with Squawka also reporting he has made 70 interceptions this season.

Bienkowski hailed his importance to his side ahead of their crucial game with Bayern Munich—which finished goalless—while football writer Stefan Buczko remarked on his magnificent performance to keep the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller at bay:

The Blues should tempt Dortmund to cash in on him while they can by pursuing him in the summer.

As for Griezmann, the news comes from Jose Hernandez of Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Metro's Mark Brus), with Atleti willing to part with the Frenchman if Costa returns to the Vicente Calderon as part of the deal.

The 25-year-old has been in great form this season, scoring 25 goals largely from out wide or in a supporting role. As Squawka Football revealed, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been more prolific in La Liga in recent years:

Griezmann recently scored his seventh goal for France, a sublime free-kick against the Netherlands:

As football journalist Dermot Corrigan noted, the Frenchman can also thrive in a deeper role:

Indeed, he's not an out-and-out centre-forward in the manner of Costa, but there's little reason he couldn't replace him up front to lead the line at Chelsea.

Lastly, citing "reports in France," Barry Glendenning of the Guardian reported the Blues are interested in signing Leicester City midfielder N'Golo Kante.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

The Frenchman has stood out for the Foxes this season with his incredible ball-winning skills and relentless energy in midfield, keeping Switzerland international Gokhan Inler on the sidelines.

According to Squawka, in 30 Premier League outings, he has won 96 tackles and made 126 interceptions, a magnificent defensive contribution. He has also completed 38 take-ons and created 25 chances, showing his ability to transform defence into attack.

Former Leicester striker Gary Lineker is one of his many admirers:

Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic have often struggled this season, while John Obi Mikel has never inspired much confidence as the first-choice alternative in midfield, so Kante would be a phenomenal signing.

Per Glendenning, he's also attracting interest from Juventus and Arsenal, while Leicester will be desperate to keep him after only signing him last year. It could be a difficult deal for Chelsea to pull off.