Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Franck Kessie and Marco Verratti

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has "stolen a march" on Juventus and Arsenal in the chase for Atalanta talent Franck Kessie—dubbed the "new Yaya Toure."

Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (h/t Warren Haughton of the Sun) reported the Blues are in the "driving seat" to capture the teenager, as Conte attempts to exploit his links to Serie A. The Stamford Bridge boss wants to swell his squad in January, with his team well placed to win the Premier League title after creating a gap at the summit of the division.

The 19-year-old has been compared to Manchester City star Toure, and has scored five goals in 14 appearances for his club, per Haughton. The player has helped Atalanta to sixth in the Italian top-flight, and the Goddess continue to outperform expectations.

Here is Kessie in action:

The teenager is already a mature talent, able to function as a defensive entity as well as provide an attacking outlet.

Kessie is physically developed for his age and perfectly suited to develop his career in the English game.

The player would be the perfect understudy for Nemanja Matic, providing a strong option from the bench if he arrives at Stamford Bridge.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Metro's Louis Sealey) previously reported the player's representative was set to meet with Liverpool, with a Premier League move on their agenda. 
             
In other Blues news, Chelsea target Marco Verratti has been highlighted by Paris Saint-Germain as an "integral part" of the club, as Conte attempts to sign his former Italy international player.

Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

PSG coach Unai Emery has underlined the midfielder's importance to his squad, as quoted by Luke Augustus of MailOnline.

Emery proclaimed:

"

He is very important. He is a player with many qualities. He brings quality to the team and his team-mates. There are not a lot of players who play like him. He is one of the most important players at PSG. He has many qualities, he plays with heart and he has a positive state of mind regarding the competition and rivalry. He is exigent and effective.

When you are his manager, coaching him is easy. You like coaching a player like him. He wants to play every day. Every day he says that he is OK. He is always ready for the team. It is important for the team.

When he is on the pitch, the team perform much better.

"

Here is the Maestro in action: 

              
Emery clearly wants to retain the midfielder, but Verratti's links to Conte could influence his thinking. PSG have seen primary talent exit in recent months, and Verratti will take note of Chelsea's impressive trajectory.

The player's agent has told suitors the Italian could leave PSG if they fail to contend for honours, per Augustus, and Chelsea are well positioned to strike for the individual as the Ligue 1 champions falter.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe paid the 24-year-old the ultimate compliment after PSG were recently drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16:

                  
Kessie and Verratti would give Conte a different dimension in midfield, providing a blend of power and grace of the highest order.

The pair are the correct age in terms of Chelsea's long-term planning and would give the west London team a foundation and platform for success for many seasons to come.