John Stones to Chelsea; Isco to Arsenal; Guillermo Varela to leave Manchester United; Andros Townsend to Newcastle

TRANSFER TALK: A look at some of today's most intriguring tittle-tattle from across the media

John Stones (right) is wanted by Chelsea in January (Getty Images)

Chelsea’s dismal run of form this season could trigger an immediate move for Everton defender John Stones in the January transfer window. The Blues’ defence has come under serious scrutiny this season, with John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic seeing questions arise over their future in the first-team. The Daily Express claims this morning that this will trigger an immediate £40m bid in January for Stones, who has impressed for Everton over the last 18 months.

Chelsea attempted to sign Stones in the summer, only to see four transfer bids rejected by the Toffees who are determined not to sell their best young players. However, Stones did hand in a transfer request, and a fresh bid could prompt the player himself to try and force a move.

Another player cropping up on the Chelsea radar is Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Alex Teixeira. However, the Blues have been warned that the asking price for the Brazilian could increase by as much as £7m if they fail to sign him in January. According to The Mirror, talks are already underway between the two clubs over a €40m [£29m] deal, but that could rapidly increase come the end of the season.

Arsenal continue to be linked with Real Madrid midfielder Isco with the Spain international growing increasingly more frustrated with his lack of playing time under Rafa Benitez. The Sun claims that Arsenal could look to move for the 23-year-old in the summer, having previously tapped into Real’s reserves to sign Mesut Özil in 2013.

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde is said to be willing to sell striker Gabriel Agbonlahor in order to generate funds for the January transfer window. The Telegraph reports that the out-of-form striker, who has not scored this season and has not found the net since March, could be moved on in order to freshen up the Premier League basement side.

Gabriel Agbonlahor could pay the price for Aston Villa's poor form

Tottenham midfielder Andros Townsend looks set to end his stay at White Hart Lane, having not started a Premier League game this season. The England international was dropped from the first-team squad at the start of November after a training row with the Spurs fitness coach Nathan Gardiner, and Bleacher Report suggest that both West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle would be interested in signing the 24-year-old.

Finally, Manchester United defender Guillermo Varela is being linked with a move away from Old Trafford just weeks after breaking into the first-team. Injuries to Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones has forced Louis van Gaal to call-up the 22-year-old Uruguayan for his debut, and he has gone on to make three Premier League appearances so far this season. But Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Serie A side Napoli are hopeful of signing Varela in January.