Chelsea Transfer News: Blues interested in Real Madrid superstar, Chelsea to make double signing to replace Fabregas, and more - 8th January, 2019

Chelsea are keen on adding players in the January transfer window, and they will be adding some much-needed firepower as their strikers have faltered badly this season.

Maurizio Sarri's team have also been linked with moves for midfielders to replace the soon-to-depart Cesc Fabregas.

Let us look at today's Chelsea transfer news and rumours:

#1 Chelsea interested in French striker Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema

It's been well established that Chelsea need some strikers as Álvaro Morata hasn't been firing at all cylinders at Stamford Bridge this season.

The Blues have been linked with a move for Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema, as per Mirror, and other sources. 31-year-old Benzema, who joined Madrid in 2009, has not been able to lead Madrid up front in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Juventus last summer. Benzema's arrival will see Morata leave Chelsea.

Benzema has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season for Real Madrid but hasn't been able to help them climb higher up the table. Madrid are currently 5th in La Liga, having lost their 6th match of the season over the weekend.

#2 Roman Abramovich keen to add Mauro Icardi

Mauro Icardi

The Mirror is also reporting that Blues chairman Roman Abramovich has given the go-ahead to sign Inter Milan captain and striker Mauro Icardi for around £100million.

Icardi and Inter haven't agreed on a new deal to keep the Argentine at the club, while he has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid. A clause in Icardi's contract will allow him to leave to a non-Italian club for £100million.

The Argentine striker has been the only bright spark for Inter over the last few seasons, but even his genius hasn't been able to take them anywhere near perennial champions Juventus.

Also see : Real Madrid Transfer News, Barcelona Transfer News, Liverpool Tranfer News

#3 Bayern Munich bid £35 million for Callum Hudson-Odoi

Callum Hudson-Odoi

It seems like Bayern Munich are very keen on signing Callum Hudson-Odoi, and have bid as much as £35 million for the 18-year-old attacker, as per Sky Sports.

Hudson-Odoi, who has stalled on a new contract, has been impressive in the few appearances that he has made for the Chelsea senior team. Manager Sarri wants to keep the young English player, and that he will afford him more opportunities in the games to come, to keep him at Chelsea.

Sarri urged the teenager to stay at Chelsea this past week: “I don’t think (he should move to Bayern) because he’s an English player. He is very young... and I think he has a very great future here in England with the national team and with Chelsea. He is ready (but) I can play with only two wingers. Of course sometimes he will be on the bench, but the same as Willian and Pedro... I can start to consider him on the same level,” said the Chelsea manager.

#4 Blues to sign Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Barella

Leandro Paredes

Cesc Fabregas is set to move to AS Monaco, and Chelsea are lining up not one but two players to replace the Spaniard.

Express are reporting that the Blues are close to signing Zenit Saint Petersburg's Leandro Paredes, as well as Cagliari's Nicolò Barella. Both are midfielders who have played in Italy, with the Argentine Paredes previously representing Chievo, Roma, and Empoli, while Barella has played for Cagliari.

21-year-old Barella is an all-round player who can move from one box to the other quickly, while also possessing a wide passing range. Paredes is a talented playmaker who can keep the ball ticking and also possesses a great touch.

Chelsea have midfielder Mateo Kovačić on-loan from Real Madrid, summer signing Jorginho, English duo Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater, and French World Cup-winning star N'Golo Kanté, as options in central midfield.

The Blues are fourth in the Premier League table, 10 points behind leaders, Liverpool.