Chelsea Transfer News: John Terry Retirement Talk, Latest Blues Rumours

John Terry has reportedly been informed by Chelsea that this season will be his last at Stamford Bridge in his capacity as a player, and the club will hand him another role behind the scenes upon his retirement. 

That's according to the Times' Matt Hughes (h/t the Sun's Sam Morgan), who added the Blues want to avoid speculation over his future overshadowing their efforts in the Premier League, while the captain has told the club of his intention to see out the campaign with them rather than move in January.

Per the Sun's Phil Cadden, Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai Shenhua had offered him a lucrative one-year deal worth £12 million to join them next month.

After completing the first four matches of the season, the 36-year-old has since featured for just six minutes after injury, and the switch to a back three saw him lose his place in the side.

The Stamford Bridge stalwart has had a hugely successful career with Chelsea, with whom he has made over 700 appearances.

As well as lifting the Premier League four times, he also helped the Blues win the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and the League Cup on three occasions. Terry also won the FA Cup five times, setting a new record as he did so, according to the competition's official Twitter feed:

The former England captain has been at Chelsea since the age of 14 and, save for a brief loan spell at Nottingham Forest, has spent his entire senior career at the club—he may well want to sign off on the high of a fifth successful league campaign, with Antonio Conte's side leading the title charge.

Meanwhile, according to the Mirror's Joe Mewis, Roma could be set to offer Radja Nainggolan or Antonio Rudiger to Chelsea in January in a bid to land Cesc Fabregas.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

The Spaniard has found himself on the outskirts of the team this season at Chelsea as Conte prefers a partnership of Nemanja Matic and N'Golo Kante in the middle of his 3-4-3 formation.

However, the midfielder has impressed when given the chance—he had an instant impact in Sunday's 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion as he set up Diego Costa's winner immediately after coming on as a substitute.

Former Chelsea star Michael Ballack hailed his impact:

Fabregas enjoys a great understanding with Costa, as the player himself noted:

Per Chelsea's official Twitter feed, he's repeatedly had the backing of Conte even if he's not been a regular in the team:

The inclusion of a player could sweeten the deal, of course—centre-back Rudiger could serve as a long-term replacement for Terry, while enforcer Nainggolan's physicality and ability to make things happen in midfield looks tailor-made for the Premier League.

Getting one of them off the books might also help Roma afford Fabregas' wages, which would likely be a significant stumbling block otherwise.

However, Rudiger and especially Nainggolan are key players at the Stadio Olimpico—even to get an excellent player like Fabregas in return, it seems unlikely they'd be willing to part with either.