Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Reportedly Plan Adama Traore Raid in Fresh Rumours

Chelsea are reportedly planning to make a £30 million move for Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore, who could leave the Riverside Stadium whether or not his side gain promotion to the Premier League.

The Barcelona academy graduate failed to impress during a sole season with Aston Villa, his first English employers, but the Sunday People's Neil Moxley wrote that Chelsea are looking to offer him a return to the top flight (h/t the Mirror).

The speedster was only 19 when he departed Catalonia for Villa Park in August 2015 and struggled in Premier League stints with Villa and Boro before finding his groove in the Championship this season.

He's stood out in the second tier and shown signs he's acclimatised to the demands of English football. Football reporter Phil Spencer highlighted what's undoubtedly one of the biggest assets in the winger's arsenal:

Moxley quoted a source close to the prospective deal as saying: "Adama knows there is major interest—and Chelsea have always been at the head of the queue."

Chelsea have star wide men in the likes of Eden Hazard, 27, Willian, 29, and Pedro, 30, but an injection of youth on the flanks may not go astray among those more experienced talents.

Traore prides himself on being a trickster in his work and has improved in utilising his considerable frame to its utmost this term. Commentator Jon Driscoll noted the Boro man could fit in among the Chelsea attack, having picked up a knack for drawing fouls:

The Blues have been fouled 10.7 times per game in the Premier League this season, per WhoScored.com, the fifth-highest tally of any team in the top flight and only one foul below leaders West Ham United.

Traore left Barcelona almost three years ago with big things expected of the Spain under-21 international, who has contributed five goals and 10 assists in 33 Championship outings this term.

His average rating of 7.74 is the highest of any player in WhoScored.com's Championship rankings this season, having won 13 man-of-the-match awards, at least four more than any other player.

His performances this campaign suggest the Premier League is no longer outside his capabilities, and a PFA Player of the Month award for March was one of the latest indicators:

Chelsea have come to rely heavily on the strength of their wingers under Antonio Conte's stewardship, and a young up-and-coming asset out wide may be the best choice of cover for his already present stars.

Middlesbrough are guaranteed to finish among the Championship play-off places, and it won't be until the club finds out its promotion fate that we discover Traore's best chances of a return to the Premier League.