Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on James Rodriguez and Franck Kessie

Chelsea are reportedly favourites to land Real Madrid misfit James Rodriguez during the January transfer window after the winger admitted he could move next month. Elsewhere, Blues target Franck Kessie looks set for a Premier League move in 2017.

Bruce Archer of the Daily Express reported Chelsea are now leading the hunt for Rodriguez with the bookmakers and cited the Mirror's Steve Stammers, who said the club will use Oscar's January sale to fund part of the £75 million move.

Stammers' report indicated Oscar is on the verge of joining Chinese Super League outfit Shanghai SIPG for an eye-watering £62 million, some or all of which could be diverted back into the winter transfer market.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte might well consider Rodriguez an upgrade on Oscar despite the latter's struggles at the Santiago Bernabeu. Speaking to the media after Real's triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup final against Kashima Antlers, Rodriguez conceded he may have to consider moving elsewhere in January:

"

Things are not going as I would want. But I have had offers and I have these seven days [over the winter break] to think well about everything.

I want to stay, but you must think about everything. I cannot assure you what will happen, as I want to play more.

I want to play more. I am happy here, everybody around me too, I like the city. But if I am not playing, I must think about it all and look for a way out.

"

The Colombia international has started just four times in La Liga under Real manager Zinedine Zidane this season, and the competition at Stamford Bridge may well make it easier for him to re-establish himself as a force to be reckoned with.

The Mirror's Ed Malyon agreed a winter move would be the best route for Rodriguez to take in the new year, with this being the first time he's actively acknowledged the possibility of a transfer away from Madrid:

Chelsea need to make Oscar's move to Shanghai official before they can make any approaches, however, as the Brazilian prepares to free up the squad space and funds necessary to materialise the deal.

Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports recently reported Chelsea were one of the clubs who had made an approach to sign Rodriguez, intensifying links even further between the two parties:

Meanwhile, Italian outlet Calciomercato reported Atalanta central midfielder Franck Kessie looks likely to move to the Premier League after Juventus dubbed the midfielder too expensive for their tastes.

Atalanta are said to have slapped a €25 million (£21 million) price tag on their youngster, and David Amoyal of Gianluca Di Marzio agreed the valuation means a Premier League switch seems most probable:

Tottenham Hotspur are still thought to be favourites to land the 19-year-old after offering €23 million (£19.2 million) for his services; however, it's possible a bidding war could break out between England's giants next year.

The report added Kessie "will probably" join one of the Premier League outfits linked with his signature as Manchester United and Arsenal have also been associated with a switch, although Chelsea remain in with a shot at the Atalanta ace.