Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said he "would love" Barcelona star Lionel Messi to follow him to west London.
The pair were team-mates as youngsters before being reunited at the Nou Camp in 2011, but they were again separated when Fabregas swapped Barca for the Blues in a £27million deal last June.
The former Arsenal captain has taken to life at Stamford Bridge, providing 11 Premier League assists in 15 starts, and despite Jose Mourinho recently dismissing links with Messi as ‘obviously untrue’, Fabregas hopes the Ballon d’Or finalist will one day follow him to Chelsea.
Show all 12 1 /12Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) Newspapers in Spain report that Chelsea had a mammoth £102m bid rejected for Real Madrid's Welsh winger. It seems unlikely given the Blues' adherence to FFP, while Los Blancos claim they do not want to sell.
Getty
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Andrej Kramaric (Rijeka) The Croatian striker is attracting interest from across the Premier League with Tottenham and Leicester also interested in his services. The Foxes even had a bid accepted but the 23-year-old rejected a move to the King Power Stadium. Kramaric has 28 goals in just 30 matches for Rijeka this season.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Paul Pogba (Juventus) The former Manchester United midfielder has become one of the most sought-after players in world football during his spell at Juventus. Still only 21, the Frenchman, who has drawn comparisons with Patrick Vieira, has helped Juventus to titles in both his seasons in Serie A, while he impressed the world at the World Cup. Could cost upwards of £40m, but Juventus have claimed that he won't be leaving during the current transfer window as they want to build 'a team of champions'.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus) The Ghanaian utility man can play on the left wing, central midfield, left-back and as a wing back and has become a crucial part of Juve's recent success. The Blues are linked with a £24m move for a player who would bolster their squad.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Kevin Strootman (Roma) Manchester United and Chelsea are both believed to be interested in the Dutch midfielder, 24, who has played only three matches this season as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury he suffered in January. At his best, Strootman is a brilliant box-to-box threat.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) Just about every top club in Europe is chasing the German star, who looks destined to leave struggling Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season. But with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich potential suitors, it may take a lot to convince the 25-year-old to come to Stamford Bridge.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) A long-term target and personal favourite of Jose Mourinho's, Varane is already one of the world's best defenders. Classy in possession, a gifted athlete and smart reader of the game, Real Madrid would be foolish to allow the 21-year-old to depart.
GETTY IMAGES
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen) The German international is one of two Bayer Leverkusen players Chelsea scouts watched in the Champions League in midweek. Bellarabi, 24, is a pacey winger who has scored an impressive seven goals and added five assists for Leverkusen this season. With Mohamed Salah failing to get into the first team, Bellarabi might be seen as a perfect replacement for the Egyptian.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Hakan Calhanoglu (Bayer Leverkusen) The other Leverkusen player Chelsea scouts watched is a Turkish international born in Germany; the 20-year-old playmaker has also impressed for Roger Schmidt's team with six goals and four assists this season. Like Bellarabi, he would be considered one for the future rather than a first-team regular straight away.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Anderson Talisca (Benfica) Chelsea were interested in the 20-year-old Brazilian in the summer but would not have been able to get a work permit for the former Bahia forward. He has flourished at Benfica, with nine goals this season with the club six points clear at the top of the Prineira Liga. Unlikely to move in January but a long-term target.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Munir El Haddadi (Barcelona) The brilliant teenager is unlikely to be allowed to leave Barcelona as he likely has a bright future ahead. At just 19 has become a regular on the bench and in the first team for Luis Enrique.
Getty Images
Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month Juan Cuadrado (Fiorentina) One of the hits of the 2014 World Cup, Cuadrado has put himself firmly on the radar of a number of clubs including Chelsea. Wolfsburg's reported interest in Andre Schurrle could lead to the Blues moving for Cuadrado to replace the German, but if Schurrle stays then any deal in January is unlikely.
GETTY IMAGES
"I wish! Why not? I'd love that to happen. I'd be all for it," the Spain international told Radio Marca.
"As a Barca man, I believe that Messi deserves to retire there for all that he has given the club.
"He is a legend that has changed Barca's history. But, as his team-mate and friend, without doubt I'd love to have Leo by my side.
"This season Barca are Messi and 10 others. Messi has saved his team on many occasions."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies