Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Chelsea transfer news and rumours: Barcelona pair Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez linked; Mohamed Salah wanted by QPR

A look at the latest talk surround Stamford Bridge

Thursday 08 January 2015 12:31 GMT

Lionel Messi has had a meeting with team-mates to clear the air

(Getty Images)

CHELSEA BOUND...

It has become apparent that Lionel Messi is unsettled at Barcelona. Talk of a rift with manager Luis Enrique and an uncertain direction at the Nou Camp means the possibility of snatching the four-time Ballon d'Or winner has never been so good. According to reports, Chelsea are in the strongest position and have already agreed to meet his £200m release clause. The deal would see Messi link up once again with Cesc Fabregas, who has said he would love to see the Argentinian join him in London.

Another of Barcelona's front-three has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. It's reports Luis Suarez could make a swift return to the Premier League after failing to settle in Catalonia. The dismissal of Andoni Zubizarreta at Barcelona and resignation of his assistant Carlos Puyol is thought to be pivotal to Suarez’s future. Chelsea will face stiff competition if the controversial Uruguayan becomes available.

LIVE: Transfer news and rumours latest

STAYING PUT...

Mohamed Salah has been linked with a switch away from Stamford Bridge this month, possibly on loan. QPR manager Harry Redknapp has made clear he would be keen if the winger were available but is not expecting a deal to come through. "[Would I take him?] Of course I’d take him! But he's not available. I don’t think Chelsea would loan him, I’ve never asked for him. I’ve never thought about him until it was mentioned now. He’s a very good player but I don’t think we’ll get him on loan.” The Independent also understands that Jose Mourinho is happy to keep Salah - for now.

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

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

GOING...

Chelsea fans will be sad to see Petr Cech depart if the goalkeeper leaves the club, but they will be furious if he ends up at Arsenal. That's the suggestion today, with reports that Chelsea will allow the Czech to choose his own destination. Arsene Wenger has finally lost patience with current Gunners stopper Wojciech Szczesny and is keen on bringing in Cech.

Petr Cech has lost his place to Thibaut Courtois

(GETTY IMAGES)

GONE...

Nottingham Forest have used their Sky Bet Transfer Fund to sign defender Todd Kane on loan from Chelsea. The 21-year-old full-back will spend the rest of the season at the City Ground and will join up with his new team-mates on Thursday. Forest manager Stuart Pearce said: "Todd is a player we know well and we are all looking forward to working with him."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies