Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Moussa Dembele and Cesc Fabregas

Celtic youngster Moussa Dembele continues to be linked with a host of top clubs around the continent, with Chelsea now said to be preparing for a transfer battle with Manchester United and Real Madrid. Meanwhile, AC Milan are reportedly doubting the idea of a January move for Cesc Fabregas.

According to Colin Mafham of the Daily Express, Chelsea, United and Manchester City have all been scouting Dembele, the former Fulham starlet who has made a sensational start to his career in Scotland.

Real are also said to be in the mix, as they hope to lock up Dembele and loan him back to Celtic as a way of circumventing their impending transfer ban. Per the report, Los Blancos are currently the favourites for his signature.

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Celtic have no intention of selling the 20-year-old just months after bringing him to Scotland, and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond sounded confident they could keep hold of the youngster, saying: “We don’t need to sell any players. Hopefully we can retain him, but our job is to have players who want to be sought by other clubs in the Premier League and elsewhere.”

The Frenchman has already scored an incredible 15 goals this season, and he's been sensational in some of Celtic's biggest matches, as shared by Ladbrokes:

Dembele picked Celtic over a host of interested clubs during the summer, making the smart choice in chasing regular playing time over a move to a massive club. Even he likely didn't envision making such a scorching start to the season, however, and it's no surprise to see those same top clubs are still hot on his trail.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has already expressed his admiration for the player, per Mafham, and with such big names keen to strike a deal, Celtic have a real battle on their hands.

Here's a look at some of Dembele's highlights:

While Celtic could make a quick buck on Dembele, the club isn't expected to entertain any offers in January. Dembele is unlikely to push for a move, as he's in the perfect place to continue his development and boost his value.

Things could change if the true greats of world football start offering silly money, which isn't out of the question, but for now, Celtic fans shouldn't worry too much.

Elsewhere, the Daily Express' Neil Fissler reported Milan are losing interest in a January deal for Fabregas, opting to chase the Spaniard during the summer of 2017 instead. Per the report, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is already lining up Paris Saint-Germain's Javier Pastore as a replacement, and a sale of Fabregas is slowly becoming inevitable.

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The former Arsenal man has barely featured for the Blues in the 2016-17 season, as he's not a particularly good fit in Conte's 3-4-3 formation, with Nemanja Matic and N'Golo Kante preferred in the central areas.

Goal's Nizaar Kinsella thinks Fabregas is no longer able to play in a regular two-man midfield:

He can still be effective as a distributor and creator behind the forwards or in a three-man midfield, and Milan have mainly used the 4-3-3 so far this season, a formation that should suit the 29-year-old.

The Rossoneri are in the process of a financial takeover, however, and their new Chinese owners will likely address other needs in January.