Chelsea ready to spend £55m to bring duo to Stamford Bridge in January

According to reports in the Evening Standard, Chelsea are hoping to complete a double January move that will see Monaco’s Thomas Lemar – rated at £35m according to The Sun – and Everton’s Ross Barkley – rated at £20m according to the Gambling Times – arrive at Stamford Bridge.

ALSO READ: Reports: £65 million star tells club that he wants to join Chelsea In January

What’s the word, then?

Well, the Evening Standard says that Blues boss Antonio Conte is looking to add at least two players to his squad during the upcoming window, although he is set to miss out on Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey.

The Evening Standard says the Italian is set to step up his interest in both Lemar and Barkley, who they came close to signing in a £35m deal at the end of the summer before the player pulled out, as a result.

The Sun reports that the west London outfit haven’t been put off of a deal for the England international though, while they also believe that they can clinch a deal for the Frenchman if their offer Monaco around £35m.
How have Barkley and Lemar done this season?

The former is yet to play this term as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury, while the latter has struggled to recapture the form he showed during the previous campaign.

The 22-year-old scored 14 goals and provided a further 17 assists in all competitions for Monaco last season as they won the league and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, but he has only netted two and picked up four assists in 17 outings this term, with the club already knocked out of Europe and nine points behind PSG in Ligue 1.

Would they be good signings for Chelsea?

They certainly would be.

While Lemar is known to be more of an attacking player, Conte may feel that he is also capable of playing as a left wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 formation, as well as featuring as a winger or central attacking midfielder on other occasions.

ALSO READ: Eden Hazard rejects Real Madrid move and Aubameyang signs - Chelsea's January transfer hopes

The Italian boss may also be looking for a long-term replacement for Cesc Fabregas either in January or next summer, and Barkley has certainly shown during his Everton career that he can be a creative force in the middle of the park, although the 24-year-old certainly needs to add some more consistency to his game.

CLICK HERE FOR FRESH STORIES

THINK IT IS IMPORTANT? SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!