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Chelsea transfer news and rumours: Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah exits set to finance move for Real Madrid's Raphael Varane

The latest transfer news and speculation surrounding Stamford Bridge

Jack de Menezes

Thursday 15 January 2015 12:30 GMT

Raphael Varane remains on Jose Mourinho's wish list (Getty Images)

REUNITED?

Jose Mourinho is believed to be plotting a surprise move for Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane in a move that could be funded by further Chelsea departures. The big sales of David Luiz, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku has stood the Blues in good stead financially, and a move for Varane would certainly add world class talent to a back-four that has shown signs it may not be as dominant as was thought earlier in the season.

LIVE: Latest transfer news and rumours

Mourinho is a big fan of the France international having managed him during his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and he would add to the current options of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma – who made his first Premier League start in last weekend’s 2-0 win over Newcastle.

Chelsea: The players linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month

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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.

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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.

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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'.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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TIME UP FOR CHELSEA PAIR…

Reports suggest that any move for Varane would be funded by the sales of Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah, with the latter close to a move to Besiktas after the Turkish club confirmed they are negotiating a transfer. The Evening Standard reports that Salah is the prime transfer target for Besiktas, with Nathan Ake also set to move on loan for the rest of the season. Salah joined the Blues from Basle for £11m in January 2013 but has started just nine games and looks to have no future at Stamford Bridge with the likes of Eden Hazard and Oscar in sublime form.

Schurrle could leave the club this month (Getty Images)

Schurrle could still have a future at the Bridge but there is interest coming from Germany that could see the attacking midfielder return to his homeland in the coming weeks. Schurrle started the 3-0 FA Cup win over Watford earlier this month but he was hauled off at half-time along with being replaced at the break in the previous match against Southampton, and the German was left out of the squad altogether for the win against Newcastle. Wolfsburg is the most likely destination for Schurrle, although a move to Borussia Dortmund could develop after the Bundesliga side expressed an interest in the 24-year-old.

Chelsea youngster Islam Feruz also looks to be on his way out of the club after a move to Cardiff City fell through. The 19-year-old forward spent the first half of the season with Greek side OFI side Crete and despite initially being reluctant to join the Bluebirds, he spent the week training with the Championship club. However, manager Russell Slade confirmed that the club will not be looking to sign him, and instead a move to strugglers Blackpool appears to be on the cards according to the Daily Mail.

Chelsea are in talks with Besiktas to sell Salah

SUMMER ARRIVALS…

Chelsea have also been given hope of landing Germany international Marco Reus in the summer, and could look to use Schurrle to structure a deal with Borussia Dortmund should he remain at the club for the rest of the season. The Blues are competing with Real Madrid and Manchester United for the 25-year-old, who has a buy-out clause of £20m in his current contract, and the Evening Standard reports that the Dortmund hierarchy are beginning to realise they may not be able to hold on to Reus in the long-term. Chief executive Jans-Joachim Watzke said: "I can understand Marco. He first wants to play again and then he wants to see which direction to take. I have a legitimate hope that he will stay for the long term. If not, it is something we will have to accept."

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