Chelsea tipped to sign a striker in January

The stories in Tuesday’s newspapers involving the area’s clubs…

There are more reports that Chelsea plan to sign a striker when the transfer window reopens in January.

The Daily Mail say Chelsea’s hierarchy are prepared to back head coach Maurizio Sarri after his impressive start by bringing in a forward.

Again, Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi, who has been touted for a move to Stamford Bridge during successive transfer windows, is said to be top of the wanted list.

However, amid reports that Icardi has a release clause of £97.5m and that Inter are determined to keep him, Poland international Krzysztof Piatek of Genoa “is shaping up as a more realistic mid-season target” after impressing for Genoa, the Mail say.

Napoli are also said to be keen on Piatek, 23, and are supposedly prepared to pay £30m.

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The Sun run a similar story, again declaring that Chelsea have lost patience with Alvaro Morata and want to sign a striker.

Icardi “tops the list”, The Sun say, with Patrick Cutrone “a cheaper alternative” – AC Milan’s Cutrone has also recently been linked with a move to SW6.

The Daily Mirror believe ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is the leading candidate to take over from under-pressure coach Julen Lopetegui at Real Madrid and that this could be a barrier to Real signing Blues star Eden Hazard given that he and Conte had an uneasy relationship during the Italian’s time at Stamford Bridge.

The Sun have picked up on reports in Italy that Chelsea have sent scouts to watch AC Milan defender Alessio Romagnoli.

And the Mail reports that Fulham are set to open contract talks with Ryan Sessegnon – and that Whites players are backing Slavisa Jokanovic.

It follows reports that head coach Jokanovic is under pressure following Fulham’s poor results and in particular their dismal defending.

The Mail say a source has indicated that the squad believe Jokanovic is the man to turn their season around.

Sessegnon, meanwhile, will be offered an improved deal in an attempt to cement his long-term future at Craven Cottage.