Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Amadou Diawara and Joao Cancelo Rumours

Napoli defensive midfielder Amadou Diawara has emerged as one of Chelsea's primary January targets, as head coach Antonio Conte prepares a £40 million raid for the player.

Warren Haughton of the Sun reported Conte will return to his homeland to capture the teenager after failed bids in the summer for AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly. Tottenham Hotspur have also had a bid of £34 million rejected by the Naples team as they desperately attempt to hold on to the prodigy.

According to Italian outlet Il Mattino (h/t Lewis Winter of the Daily Star), Napoli director Christian Guintoli has described the Guinean prospect as "unsellable" at present.

AFP/Getty Images

Conte has put his faith in N'Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic as his first-choice pairing in midfield, but Diawara would bring youth and energy to the manager's long-term strategy.

The player began his career at San Marino Calcio before earning a £420,000 switch to Bologna in 2015. He made 34 appearances for the Rossoblu before completing a deal to join the Partenopei, according to Winter.

Here is the player in action:

In other Blues news, target Joao Cancelo is drawing interest from Barcelona as the Valencia right-back's reputation grows across Europe. 

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t Joe Short of the Express), Barca are preparing an offer to beat Conte to the player's signature, but he might not come onto the transfer market until the summer.

Here is a look at the defender's numbers this season, according to Squawka:

	Cancelo
Minutes	792
Apps	11
Tackles	17
Interceptions	19
Clearances	9
Take-Ons	31
Chances Created	6
Pass Completion	70%

Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Diawara and Cancelo would be fine additions to Chelsea's squad, but both players will have rival bidders willing to break the bank to land their services.

Both talents could become first-choice options for many years ahead and would provide the Stamford Bridge club with a foundation for future success.

Conte has settled in at west London, and his team are now showing the discipline that was missing during a poor run in September.

However, new signings in January could be the difference between the club challenging for the Premier League title in the second half of the season or merely scrapping for a UEFA Champions League spot.