'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The January transfer window is in its last few days of action with Antonio Conte looking intensively for reinforcements. Chelsea are linked with a number of players but until now, only one player has signed on the dotted line. On that note, let's take a look at all the transfer stories concerning Chelsea that made the news on January 26, 2018:
Chelsea considering a swoop for Olivier Giroud
Chelsea's search for a target man has now taken them to Arsenal with the Mirror reporting that the Blues are considering a swoop for Olivier Giroud. The French striker was linked with a loan move to Borussia Dortmund but that deal is said to be on the verge of breaking down.
Giroud has 18 months remaining on his current deal but a lack of playing time has made him look for a change of scenery. As for Chelsea, after being linked with the likes of Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Ashley Barnes, the Blues had reportedly zeroed in on Edin Dzeko.
But a deal for the Bosnian hitman is proving to be a difficult task with the Roma striker holding out for better personal terms. Hence, Olivier Giroud has now emerged on Chelsea's radar with the player reportedly keen on extending his stay in London rather than a move abroad.
Roman Abramovich angry with Antonio Conte
After a defeat against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, Antonio Conte went on an astonishing outburst over the club's transfer policy and claimed that it was not him who decided the players that were signed in the summer. Chelsea's top brass is bewildered by Conte's claims and believe that it was the manager who took the final call before signing a player.
According to the Daily Star, Roman Abramovich has been taken aback by his manager's claims and is looking to sack him as soon as the season ends. The club has lined up replacements for the Italian with Luis Enrique reportedly leading the race to replace Conte at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, the Sun has made another revelation which goes on to show the current toxic background environment at Chelsea. It is reported that Antonio Conte and the club director Marina Granovskaia are not even on talking terms and are in contact only through coach Carlo Cudicini.
A partnership between the club and the manager which was looking perfect in the first season is now on the verge of a sad end.
Frank Lampard fears Eden Hazard will leave Chelsea
Chelsea's transfer troubles have made Frank Lampard a worried man. The Blues legend has admitted to Evening Standard that if the manager is not backed by the club to sign quality players, Chelsea will fall behind the Manchester clubs. Lampard is also worried about the future of Eden Hazard.
Hazard has 18 months remaining on his deal but an approach from Real Madrid over the summer is imminent. Chelsea are in the process of offering him a new improved deal but it isn't sure whether Hazard will sign an extension with the club. It is the same with Thibaut Courtois who is also on Real Madrid's radar and has not signed a new deal yet.
Lampard said in his interview, "Chelsea have to show the ambition - if they want both of them to stay there, they have to keep adding to the squad in the right way. Great players such as Hazard and Courtois will always be looked at by Real Madrid, so to protect yourself you need to get them on long contracts."
