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The January transfer window is heating up with each passing day and so is the patience of Antonio Conte over the club's transfer policy. 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 20, 2018:
Chelsea line up Luis Enrique as the successor to Antonio Conte
The friction between Antonio Conte and the Chelsea board is becoming evident with each passing week. This union is expected to last only until the summer with the club already starting to plan for life after the Italian. The Daily Star, in its exclusive report has claimed that Chelsea want the former FC Barcelona manager Luis Enrique to handle the managerial duties from the next season.
Enrique is currently on a sabbatical but has been linked with a move to the Premier League for a long time. The quadruple winning manager with Barcelona is a highly rated tactician who won nine trophies during his three-year stint with the Catalans.
Along with Enrique, former Chelsea defender Juliano Belletti is reportedly earmarked as the club's next director of football. Belletti spent three years at Stamford Bridge and is currently a club ambassador with FC Barcelona. Both Enrique and Belletti are highly rated by Roman Abramovich who has had a dream since years to see his Chelsea side play the Barcelona way.
Chelsea closing in on two more signings
According to Sky Italy, Chelsea are edging closer to sign the AS Roma duo of Edin Dzeko and Emerson Palmieri. The Blues are ready to pay €50 million for the two and an extra €10 million in bonuses. A striker and a left-back have been on Chelsea's radar since the past summer and it seems that Conte is finally close to getting the required reinforcements.
Despite Edin Dzeko's agent revealing that Chelsea have not yet approached Roma for the striker's services, the situation is set to change in the coming days. It is believed that Dzeko will only leave Roma for Chelsea. Incidentally, Dzeko played against the Blues in the Champions League this season and scored a brace at the Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Palmieri, 23, has found it tough to find a starting berth in Rome after his return from a long-term injury. He is reportedly eyeing a move away from Italy with Chelsea being his preferred destination. Palmieri is also keen on working with Antonio Conte which can be a plus point for Chelsea in their pursuit of the left-back.
Christian Benteke linked with a loan move
Another day, another Premier League towering striker being linked with a move to Chelsea! This time it's the turn of Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke to be linked with a loan spell to West London. The Daily Mail has reported that Chelsea's striker search has dragged on and led them to the Eagles.
But it is reported that Palace are not interested in a loan spell for the Belgian with Roy Hodgson considering Benteke as a crucial player for the remainder of the season. However, if Chelsea make a solid bid for Benteke then Palace can be tempted to let him go. Crystal Palace paid £27 million to sign Benteke last season and will look to recoup at least as much as that amount.
