Transfer Talk: Chelsea target January treble as Toon eye Rabiot

Chelsea are plotting a major overhaul of their squad in January despite leading the Premier League, according to reports.

After taking over from Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel won the Champions League before splashing out £96million on Romelu Lukaku ahead of his first full season.

And Marca claim the Blues chief will not stop there with moves for Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt and Lorenzo Insigne on the cards in the upcoming window.

Centre-backs Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are all out of contract in the summer, while veteran Thiago Silva has just turned 37.

Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr, both 22, have both impressed when given the chance to step up but Sevilla star Kounde and Juventus sensation De Ligt would represent huge upgrades.

Napoli’s Insigne, meanwhile, continues to light up Serie A aged 30 and would help shoulder some of Lukaku’s goalscoring burden.

Cash-strapped Barcelona could help Chelsea free up funds for their grand plans as the Catalans weigh up moves for Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Hakim Ziyech.

Local outlet Sport believe the Blues trio are all being considered as potential loan options, with Stamford Bridge chiefs given the chance to reduce their wage bill should an approach be made.

Barca are unable to compete at the higher end of the transfer market over their precarious financial situation and have been operating on a model of short-term deals and free transfers.

In other news

Newcastle are set to try and prise Adrien Rabiot from Juventus with an offer between £8.5m and £13m, according to CalcioMercato.

Manchester United are prepared to sell Jesse Lingard for £10m in January, claim the Sun.

Old Trafford chiefs are ready to hand the reins to Zinedine Zidane if they sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, insist the Times.

Corriere dello Sport say Roma boss Jose Mourinho is planning to approach his former club to take Diogo Dalot on loan.

Fabrizio Romano insists Inter Milan are closing in on Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana with the No1 set to sign a four-year deal in the summer.