Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Plan Shakhtar Double Swoop, Dominic Solanke Rumours

Chelsea will reportedly turn their attention to Shakhtar Donetsk this summer as they seek to complete a double swoop on Taison and Wellington Nem.

Plus, Dominic Solanke is understood to be holding the Blues at ransom over his new contract.

Italian outlet Calciomercato.com (h/t the Daily Star's Alex Harris) reported that Chelsea are stepping up their interest in the Shakhtar pair after the Ukrainian outfit supposedly made Taison and Nem "available for sale."

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The wing duo have been in and out of Shakhtar's XI for much of this season, but Taison would undoubtedly be considered the more revered talent since moving to the club from Metalist Kharkiv three years ago.

The 28-year-old has previously come close to a Premier League switch in the past and this month informed Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express) that he almost moved to Chelsea in January. 

"I always had the dream of playing in the Premier League. I almost went to Chelsea but the transfer didn't happen because of the foreign limit on the passport," he said. "I have to keep working, teams are watching me. As I said, the aim is to do well in the Europa League for something better."

Should the attacker's claim prove genuine, it would appear Chelsea are interested in adding Taison to their ranks. Nem's supposed availability may also make him another desirable summer target.

The official Shakhtar Donetsk Twitter account recently provided a glimpse of what the former Fluminense star brings to the table:

Of the two, Nem, 24, may be the more valuable recruit considering he's still in the early development of his career. Taison, 28, could be an expensive purchase if he fails to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

In any case, it appears Shakhtar manager Mircea Lucescu isn't looking to lose Taison anytime soon, and he recently told the club's official website of his desire to hang on to his "best player":

"

Everyone wants something better. Unfortunately, our Ukrainian championship is not progressing, rolling back instead. So the players’ will to play in a stronger league is understandable. This, again, may be the case if such proposals are available and the club approves them. Taison is our best player these days. With each match, he increasingly became the leader of Shakhtar’s attacking performance. I would like him to retain this shape until the end of the season. 

"

Chelsea winger Willian previously turned out for Shakhtar, and the club could look back to Eastern Europe as they look to strengthen their attacking options this summer.

Meanwhile, the Telegraph's Matt Law reported that Blues youngster Solanke is demanding £50,000 a week to remain at Stamford Bridge, as well as assurances over his first-team future. ESPN FC's Jake Cohen has previously commented on the forward's haggling stance regarding a fresh deal:

It's unlikely Chelsea would be willing to pay such exorbitant figures for a player who has just one senior appearance at Stamford Bridge and is currently enjoying a loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem.

Solanke has shown his promise by netting seven goals in 24 Eredivisie appearances this season, and with just over a year left on his Chelsea contract, the Blues may well fret over the 18-year-old's future at the club.