Chelsea have made contact with Monaco over a potential deal for Radamel Falcao, the Daily Express say.
The Colombian striker is rumoured to be unhappy in Monte Carlo and it is claimed Chelsea have made an approach although they are apparently reluctant to pay the asking price, which is said to be £85m.
Oriol Romeu has told Levante TV he is encouraged by recent reports that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho does not want to sell him to Valencia, where the midfielder is on loan.
Romeu said: “If true it is really good. I hope so. It is good that they are interested in me.
“I know that they are following me and they are happy with my recent performances. They have congratulated me but I have not spoken directly to Mourinho.”
Chelsea are facing an uphill battle to sign Nemanja Matic from Benfica after Paris St-Germain confirmed their interest in the player, the Express say.
The Express also say Chelsea are pursuing the signings of Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski and Marseille’s Florian Thauvin and that the club are preparing new summer bid for Wayne Rooney.
Chelsea are said to be encouraged by Manchester United’s apparent hesitancy in offering England striker Rooney a new contract.
There continues to be speculation about Kevin de Bruyne’s Chelsea future after his agent recently told German media that he would speak to the club and that a number of Bundesliga sides want the midfielder.
Netherlands star Wesley Sneijder has played down speculation that he could leave Galatasaray for the Premier League, with Chelsea and United said to be interested.
He told Dutch newspaper NOS: “I know only as much as you do, just the reports in the newspapers, which seem to come out every time the transfer window is about to re-open.”
Talksport say Galatasaray have become the latest to join a list of clubs keen on Basel winger Mohamed Salah, who is supposedly wanted by Chelsea as well Liverpool and Tottenham.
Chelsea will find out soon whether they will be able to make a move for Real Madrid’s former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, the Daily Star claim.
Mourinho has been linked with a move for the Spaniard, who played under him at Real.
Manchester United have also been linked with him and Liverpool are reportedly interested in taking Alonso, 32, back to Anfield.
Recent reports in Spain suggested Alonso, whose contract runs out at the end of the season, had agreed a new deal to stay at the Bernabeu.
In France, La Provence Chelsea say have scouted Marseille’s Florian Thauvin.
Meanwhile, Adel Taarabt is reportedly on Malaga’s radar.
Talksport say the Spanish club have been offered the chance to sign the 24-year-old, who is currently on a season-long loan at Fulham from QPR.
Related West London Sport story: Doubts over Taarabt’s Fulham future
And Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov is being tipped to return to his former club Tottenham.
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This post was last modified on 13/12/2013