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BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26:  Michael Keane of Burnley (L) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with team George Boyd of Burnley (R) during the Premier League match between Burnley and Watford at Turf Moor on September 26, 2016 in Burnley, England.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Michael Keane of Burnley (L) celebrates scoring his sides second goal with team George Boyd of Burnley (R) during the Premier League match between Burnley and Watford at Turf Moor on September 26, 2016 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Michael Keane and Yannick Carrasco

Stuart NewmanOct 22, 2016

Burnley manager Sean Dyche has warned Chelsea that they'll have to part with a hefty transfer fee if they want to land defender Michael Keane in the upcoming January transfer window.

David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror recently wrote that the Blues are preparing a £25 million bid for the Englishman, who's seen as a long-term replacement to skipper John Terry.

However, Dyche has hit back at Keane's suitors by saying that Burnley have no obligation to sell their star defender and won't be swayed easily, according to the Burnley Express (via James Benson of Daily Star):

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"We're fortunate in that we don't have to sell, the good side of us being careful is that we're in a very healthy financial position. Whatever the price, we don't have to sell."

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27:  Michael Keane Eof Burnley (R) attempts a challenge on Willian of Chelsea (L) during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Burnley at Stamford Bridge on August 27, 2016 in London, England.  (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty I

Chelsea's defensive line has been rather shaky over the last couple of seasons, and new signing David Luiz—despite his obvious talent—hasn't provided any more solidity.

Gary Cahill's form has also been called into question, yet Keane has been at the other end of the scale, earning plaudits for a series of excellent performances.

Such has been his brilliance this term that he was recently called up to Gareth Southgate's England squad, giving Burnley plenty to worry about.

John Cross of the Daily Mirror reported that the Clarets were desperate to tie the 23-year-old down to a new deal upon his first international call-up, hoping it would ward off the attention of Chelsea and champions Leicester City.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17:  Jamie Vardy of Leicester City attempts to control the ball while Michael Keane Eof Burnley looks on during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Burnley at The King Power Stadium on September 17, 2016 in L

The Foxes put a £17 million bid on the table in the summer and could well go back in for Keane when the transfer window re-opens.

Chelsea will have the financial edge in the event of a bidding war, however, and they could well lay their cards on the table sooner rather than later to try to tempt the defender into a move to Stamford Bridge.

Elsewhere, the Blues' pursuit of Yannick Carrasco has been dealt a blow, as the Belgian recently signed a new deal at Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid's Belgian midfielder Yannick Ferreira Carrasco controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Rostov and Club Atletico de Madrid in Rostov-on-Don on October 19, 2016. / AFP / Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV        (Photo c

As Marc Williams of the Daily Star reports, the winger has signed a new deal that will keep him in the Spanish capital until 2022.

Carrasco's old deal had a tempting £35 million release clause attached to it, but buying him out of his contract will likely be a lot more expensive now.

Chelsea will have to shop around if they're to add to their attacking ranks in January.

The Blues have started the 2016/17 in impressive style, but there's still plenty of work to do if they're to restore their championship-winning form of 2014/15.

Fans will be calling for a new centre-back and a back-up striker to Diego Costa in January, and if Chelsea can bring in the players they need, they'll be in the running to take back the Premier League trophy.

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