Chelsea transfer news: Blues planning double swoop in January, defender set to leave for free, and more - 23rd December 2018

Hello and welcome to the daily Chelsea transfer round-up - your one-stop shop for all the latest Chelsea transfer news and rumours!

Chelsea have been incessantly linked with various players prior to the commencement of the transfer window. The rumours of the Blues making marquee signings in January have intensified even further by the day.

Maurizio Sarri's men started the season with a bang, but they have lost their momentum as the season has progressed. Chelsea are currently sitting in the 4th place with 37 points from 18 games and their hunt for the title has now transformed into a close fight for a Champions League spot for the next season with Arsenal.

That being said, let's have a look at what the rumour mill has churned out about Chelsea today.

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#3 Chelsea reject swap offer involving Hudson-Odoi and Pulisic

Chelsea have rejected a swap offer involving Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi

If reports from The Sun are to be believed, Chelsea have rejected a deal for Borussia Dortmund's highly-rated winger Christian Puisic that involved Calum Hudson-Odoi going in the other direction.

The 18-year-old youngster has shown tremendous potential and has been branded as a star for the future. But, with first-team chances looking bleak given the quality of the squad at the Stamford Bridge, Hudson-Odoi is said to be looking for an exit.

He has only appeared in the Europa League for Chelsea this season, having shown tremendous promise following his impressive displays.

Bayern Munich are rumoured to be the front-runners for his signature, even after Dortmund proposed a swap deal involving the two players.

Chelsea have been chasing Pulisic for months, having locked horns with league rivals Liverpool for his signature. Borussia Dortmund value the American international at £70m.

#2 David Luiz to leave Chelsea for free at the end of the season

David Luiz could leave for free at the end of the season

David Luiz has been reborn under Maurizio Sarri following his fall down the pecking order under Antonio Conte last season. However, reports suggest that the Blues might reap the benefits of his rise for a very short span of time.

According to The Times via Express, the Brazilian wants to leave because of Chelsea's policy to offer only one-year contract extensions to players aged 30 or above.

Maurizio Sarri has already requested the club to change this policy but it seems his pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Speaking about the matter, he said:

"I spoke with the club about this one month ago. I know very well that it's not easy, but I think we can do a new deal for both[Luiz and Fabregas]."

"They are very important players for us. It is very difficult to find a centre-back for this level and it is very difficult to find a centre-midfielder technically like Fabregas, so I think they have to stay with us."

"The deal is very difficult for this reason [both players are over 30 years of age]. The club wants a short contract and the players want a long contract."

"It is difficult for this reason but I think we can find a solution."

David Luiz has made 17 Premier League appearances for Chelsea under Maurizio Sarri, after being dropped from the squad by Antonio Conte last season.

#1 Chelsea planning double raid for Gonzalo Higuain and Nabil Fekir in January

Gonzalo Higuain has been on Chelsea's radar

Alvaro Morata's troubles at Stamford Bridge just keep growing; the Spaniard's future at the club is already under scrutiny as he is rumoured to be weighing his options for January. Chelsea, in the meantime, are already scouring the market for a replacement and Gonzalo Higuain has been on their shortlist for quite some time.

The 31-year-old is currently on loan at AC Milan from Juventus. But, with the Rossoneri opting against making his move permanent, he is currently looking for new employers in January.

According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are planning to offer Morata to AC Milan so as to sweeten the deal for Higuain. The Argentinian has already worked with Sarri at Napoli and is more than keen to link up with the Italian again, this time in the Premier League.

Chelsea are also looking to strike a deal for Lyon sensation Nabil Fekir in the next month. Liverpool failed to sign him for £52m in Anfield this summer.

Fekir then agreed to stay at Lyon for one more season. However, Chelsea are confident of securing a cut-price deal for him in the next month.

For more Chelsea transfer news and rumours, visit our Chelsea Transfer News page!