Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Blues Rumours, Players Linked with Winter Move

Chelsea look likely to encounter fierce competition in their pursuit of Genk starlet Leon Bailey after it was reported Manchester City are also interested in his signature. Meanwhile, the Blues are set to miss out on Michael Keane.

The Daily Star's Paul Brown wrote the Citizens are ready to contend for Bailey's services after he was voted Best Young Player in Belgium's Jupiler Pro League last season, with Leicester City also said to be in the hunt.

Bailey plays mostly as a left winger and has scored six goals in 12 appearances across all competitions so far this season, earning City manager Pep Guardiola's attention as a result, it seems.

The official UEFA Europa League Twitter account was also quick to note Bailey's affinity for scoring in European competition, too, following a recent spree in front of goal:

According to Brown's report, it's "only a matter of time" until Bailey moves on from his Belgian employers and looks to pastures new, and the Premier League looks like a plausible option judging by the interested parties.

The 19-year-old was also recently elected to the Europa League team of the week and took to Instagram to celebrate his recent spike in continental form:

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte already has the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian, Pedro and Victor Moses vying for a place on his wings, but the introduction of another new face could light a fire under those existing assets.

Elsewhere, Tom Hopkinson of the Sunday Mirror reported Chelsea will miss out on Burnley defender Michael Keane as he looks likely to pen a contract extension at Turf Moor.

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The former Manchester United defender has attracted a heap of Premier League interest of late and was allegedly the subject of a failed £15 million bid from reigning champions Leicester City over the summer.

Clarets manager Sean Dyche recently addressed rumours linking his centre-back with a move away from Burnley and told the club's official website a sale was never on the cards:

"

It was simple, we were never going to sell him. It’s important to keep all of your best players and Michael is among a group of very good players here, I think. 

That’s the good thing about being where we are at. We haven’t got riches beyond compare to throw around but we are strong enough financially to not have to sell players.

"

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo is understood to be keeping track of Keane's progress with Burnley as he chases a long-term replacement for ageing star John Terry.

The Blues will welcome Andreas Christensen back from his loan at Borussia Monchengladbach next summer. Kurt Zouma is also a big prospect, with Keane seemingly out of the West Londoners' reach.