Chelsea could sign BOTH Marco Veratti and James Rodriguez this January with Oscar and Mikel almost certain to leave
Football Whispers has a unique algorithm which gives each rumour a score out of five, helping you decipher which deals are likely to happen
CHELSEA sit top of the Premier League table riding an 11-match winning streak stretching all the way back to October 1.
But despite their remarkable form, the Blues are still expected to be active when the transfer window re-opens in January, with rumours of big-money moves to help sustain their title push, and even a few high-profile exits.
has a unique algorithm which gives each rumour a score out of five, helping you decipher which deals are likely to happen.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and gossip ahead of the January window with SunSport’s daily LIVE blog.
Here are the top five Chelsea transfer rumours - both incomings and outgoings - at Stamford Bridge.
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Marco Verratti – Paris Saint Germain – 3.7
The Daily Mail believe that Chelsea have identified Paris Saint Germain midfielder Marco Verratti as their top target for the mid-season transfer window.
Verratti admitted that the French champions are in crisis after their fourth defeat of the season at the weekend, but would he be willing to leave Paris at this stage of the season?
If so, it seems likely that Chelsea would have to fork out a lot more than the reported £30million fee to secure the 24-year-old Italian international.
James Rodriguez – Real Madrid – 2.7
Having grown frustrated at a lack of playing time for Real Madrid this season, Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez said recently that he will “think about offers” in January.
SunSport reported recently that one such offer will be a £75million bid from Chelsea.
Chelsea players on the move
Leonardo Bonucci – Juventus – 2.7
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is a known admirer of Italian centre-back Leonardo Bonucci after working with the 29-year-old at Juventus.
It is believed that the Blues tried to sign Bonucci in the summer and SunSport reported last month that they were set to test the Old Lady’s resolve once more with a January bid.
However, the former Bari star signed a new contract with Juventus this week, making any mid-season switch extremely unlikely.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – Monaco – 2.1
With Oscar set to be leaving Stamford Bridge for the Chinese Super League, SunSport brought you the story that Chelsea intend to use some of that money on Monaco defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.
Manchester United have also been linked with the 22-year-old Frenchman who is valued at £40million.
Niklas Sule – Hoffenheim – 2.1
Chelsea are also believed to be keen on highly-rated German defender Niklas Sule.
The 6ft 5ins 21-year-old has been outstanding for unbeaten Bundesliga side Hoffenheim this season, with Liverpool said to be monitoring his progress too.
However, Sport Bild reported over the weekend that German champions Bayern Munich are set to snap up Sule.
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Oscar – Shanghai SIPG – 4.5
Speaking to Sportv in Brazil, 25-year-old midfielder Oscar admitted that he is “90 percent certain” to be making a switch to Shanghai SIPG in the cash-rich Chinese Super League in January.
The move is set to net Chelsea as much as £60million for the man they signed from Internacional in 2012.
Michy Batshuayi – West Ham United – 2.9
With the phenomenal form of Diego Costa this term, summer signing Michy Batshuayi has had to settle for a bit part role since his £33million move from Marseille.
The Belgian striker has emerged as a target for West Ham United when the transfer window re-opens, with SunSport reporting that the Hammers are keen to take the 22-year-old on loan.
John Obi Mikel – Marseille – 1.5
Nigerian midfielder John Obi Mikel has become the forgotten man at Stamford Bridge this season.
The 29-year-old apparently doesn’t feature in Conte’s plans and a move to Marseille could be on the cards, according to Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr, who claimed that the player is in talks with the Ligue 1 club.
Cesc Fabregas – Guangzhou Evergrande – 1.2
Cesc Fabregas has been in fine form in recent weeks and appears likely to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the January window.
But with Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande interested in the Spaniard, a big-money offer, such as the one they received for Oscar, could tempt Chelsea to sell.
The Daily Mail claims the Chinese club will pay up to £40 million for the 29-year-old.
Eden Hazard – Real Madrid – 1.1
Real Madrid may be banned from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows, but that hasn’t stopped them being linked with moves for some of the game’s biggest stars.
The Mirror reported in the summer that Los Blancos were keen to make Hazard their latest Galactico signing, and his scintillating form this season will only have made the eleven-time European champions more determined to land the Belgian.