Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Diego Laxalt and Charly Musonda

Chelsea will battle Arsenal for Genoa attacking midfielder Diego Laxalt, as the London giants attempt to plunder the Serie A side.

According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Mark Brus of Metro), the 23-year-old's glittering performance in Italy has alerted the Premier League clubs, and they will battle each other to capture the new Uruguay international.

The talent is defensively sound but has the potential to turn into a rounded midfielder, playing in the centre or on the left.

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The Blues could view the player as a long-term replacement for Oscar, per Brus, and would also add youth to Antonio Conte's ranks as he tempts one of his country's burgeoning club talents.

Laxalt has featured in 15 Serie A appearances this term and has been directly involved in three goals, according to WhoScored.com.

Here is the player in action:

In other news, Chelsea youngster Charly Musonda is ready to return to Cobham after his loan spell with Real Betis was cut short.

According to Spanish news outlet ABC De Sevilla (Alex Wood of the Daily Star), the clubs have agreed to terminate the arrangement after the player failed to make regular appearances after sustaining injury. The youngster impressed for Betis last term, leading to a second season in Spain, but he will now return to Chelsea to resume his career.

Musonda recently admitted he has had little contact with Conte since the Italian took control at Stamford Bridge, per Wood.

“There’s feedback with people from Chelsea," he said. "I’ve never actually been in direct contact with Antonio Conte, but the club are keeping an eye on their players’ performances. My dream is to play in the Premier League. I’m going to continue my efforts to reach that objective.”

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Chelsea have a cacophony of players out on loan, with 38 players currently plying their trade elsewhere, according to Wood.

Musonda had an excellent season last year and appeared perfectly suited to the Spanish game.

Once fit, the midfielder, who can operate as a winger and across the attack, could develop into a fine asset at the Bridge, but it would be sensible for him to spend the second half of the season out on loan so he can further learn his trade.