Chelsea transfer news: Real Madrid plotting swap deal for Chelsea star, Dortmund ready to sell Blues target in January, and more - 14th 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!

We are nearly two weeks away from entering the transfer window and the speculations regarding various clubs and their plans for January have already started heating up. Chelsea look set to be one of the most active institutions in the market, given their incessant links with a bunch of players prior to the beginning of the transfer season.

Without further ado, let's have a look at what the rumour mill has churned out about Chelsea today.

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#1 Jordi Alba urges Alvaro Morata to join Barcelona

Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba has urged his international team-mate Alvaro Morata to join him at the Nou Camp. The Spanish striker has failed to live up to the expectations at Chelsea following his big-money move from Real Madrid in 2017.

Morata is currently competing with Olivier Giroud for a starting spot in the team. With Maurizio Sarri rumoured to be interested in bringing Edinson Cavani to the Stamford Bridge, the Spaniard's chances of staying put are increasingly appearing bleak.

Speaking about his admiration for Morata, Alba said,

"Morata is a player that I appreciate a lot, he has been a top player for many years. At the end, it’s the club’s [decision] if they want to sign him or not, as with any other player. ‘If the rumours are true, he would be very welcome, as all the new players [are]."

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#2 Borussia Dortmund open to selling Christian Pulisic in January

According to the Mirror, Borussia Dortmund are open to offloading Christian Pulisic when the transfer window flings open in January. Chelsea have shown a keen interest in signing the 20-year-old, with Manchester United and Liverpool also said to be eyeing a move for the American.

Pulisic has already lost his place to in-form attacker Jadon Sancho and is said to be on the verge of swapping clubs in January. Dortmund CEO Michael Zorc reiterated his expectations about the attacker staying put until the end of the season. Speaking to Bild he said:

"We will not sell a player in winter who's essential to us achieving our sporting aims, of course. That’s a matter of fact. I strongly expect Christian will still be wearing the BVB jersey in February."

Christian Pulisic has 18 months remaining on his current contract, with Borussia Dortmund holding him out for £50m.

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#3 Real Madrid could offer Isco in exchange for Eden Hazard

According to Spanish outlet OK Diario via Express, Real Madrid are said to be exploring the possibilities of offering Isco to Chelsea in exchange for Eden Hazard.

The Spanish playmaker has cut a frustrated figure following his bit-part role under Santiago Solari at the Bernabeu. He is said to be keen on taking the exit door, with the Blues rumoured to be one of the parties interested in his signature.

Real Madrid have been in hot pursuit of Eden Hazard for over a year and could offer Isco as a sweetener in any deal to bring the Belgian to the Spanish capital. Hazard also recently confessed his affection for Los Blancos as he said,

“The new coach [Sarri] thinks football like me, so we'll see, the family is in London, I'm also going to be 28. I do not want to have any regrets at the end of my it's a decision I'm going to make, I do not know when, but I'll take it."

"Me, you know me, I've always loved Real, even before [Zinedine] Zidane, we'll see what happens.”

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