Here are your latest football.london Chelsea transfer headlines on Sunday, December 25.
Chelsea handed Declan Rice boost
Chelsea have an advantage in the race to sign West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice with the Hammers reportedly prepared to allow the 23-year-old to depart east London in the summer transfer window.
The Blues have withheld an interest in the Irons skipper for multiple transfer windows with Rice a former Chelsea youth player as well as it being well documented that he and Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount are very close friends.
READ MORE: Jorginho Chelsea contract fate as Todd Boehly makes N'Golo Kante transfer decision
Both Jorginho and N'Golo Kante are expected to depart Stamford Bridge as free agents in the summer, leaving a void for a new defensive midfielder to come in with Rice seen as the perfect candidate.
Read more here.
Graham Potter told what he must do to sign Josko Gvardiol
Chelsea head coach Graham Potter will have to provide the green light for a move that would see his side pay a record fee for a defender if the Blues are to sign Croatia international Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig in January.
The 20-year-old was believed to be close to a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer but a transfer fee couldn't be agreed upon. However, after numerous impressive displays at the World Cup, the youngster's price tag is undoubtedly going to be higher.
In fact, it is believed that the Bundesliga club will hold out for what would be a fee higher than the current record held by Manchester United when purchasing Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £80million in 2019.
Read more here.
Chelsea eyeing left-sided centre-back
With defensive reinforcements being eyed, Chelsea will reportedly target a left-sided centre-back next month with Monaco's Benoit Badiashile currently the leading candidate.
It is understood that a deal for the Frenchman would stand at around €35million (£30million) with Frankfurt's Evan N'Dicka and Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie also on the west London outfit's shortlist.
At just 21, Badiashile already has well over 100 senior appearances for Monaco as well as being a France U21 regular.
Read more here.
READ NEXT:
Sterling's new look, youngsters involved: Things spotted in Chelsea training before Bournemouth
Chelsea's January transfer priority is now clear as Graham Potter confirms N'Golo Kante bad news
Chelsea set to seal three transfers before January after medical completed for £80m spend
Todd Boehly risks repeating same Chelsea mistakes with ground-breaking £30m transfer coup
