The January transfer window is now open and Chelsea are believed to be in conversation with PSG over a loan move.

Chelsea have made contact with French outfit Paris Saint-Germain over a January transfer for striker Randal Kolo Muani as Enzo Maresca looks to add firepower to his Premier League title charge.

The Blues boss may be adamant that his side are not contenders to lift the top flight trophy in his first season in charge but it has certainly been a positive start to life at Stamford Bridge for the former Leicester City man. Chelsea are already 10 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool but the acquisition of a new talisman could help close that gap.

A report from French outlet Foot Mercato this week claims that Chelsea are to make contact with PSG in the 'coming days' to find out more about the type of transfer the Ligue 1 club have in mind. Manchester United, AC Milan and RB Leipzig are three other clubs named as potential suitors but the outlet holds Chelsea as frontrunners for the 26-year-old.

Kolo Muani scored two goals in PSG's opening three league fixtures this term but has gone on to only play a bit part under Luis Enrique. The striker joined the Parisian giants from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £76 million last year but has now not been named in the side's matchday squad for the last three fixtures.

PSG striker set for loan exit

Enrique spoke about the player's situation at the Parc de Princes in December. He said: "I could speak about it but I won’t because my decisions say it all, even if as I have said, all of my decisions can be changed."

Randal Kolo Muani is expected to leave PSG this month. | Getty Images

placeholder image — Randal Kolo Muani is expected to leave PSG this month. | Getty Images

PSG are not expected to sell the player in January, so soon after his arrival, but a loan move for the striker seems likely. The French international can play across the front line and his versatility and experience has piqued the interest of clubs across the continent.

Chelsea have long been linked with moving for a new striker. Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney were rumoured targets last summer while Evan Ferguson and Liam Delap are more recent links.

Maresca has largely trusted Nicolas Jackson to lead the line for Chelsea in the Premier League this season and the forward has nine league goals this term. Christopher Nkunku has been prolific in cup competitions and is another option, having started against Ipswich Town, but there is a sense the striking role is still up for grabs at Stamford Bridge.

Christopher Nkunku linked with January exit

Nkunku has been linked with a move away in January with starts hard to come by and that was put to Maresca last month. The Chelsea manger replied: “We like Christo and we want him here.

“There will always be players that are not happy and some that will ask to leave in January. I am not sure if they will be Christo’s or another player’s case. We want to keep them here because we are happy with them here.”

Nkunku has found Premier League starts hard to come by. | Getty Images

Giving his view on Nkunku's future, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said: “It’s important to clarify that internally at Chelsea, coaching staff, Enzo Maresca, the board, the owners… all of them want to keep Christopher Nkunku. They believe Nkunku is an important player for the project.

“But the only way for Nkunku to leave Chelsea in January is if the player goes to Chelsea and asks them to leave because he’s not happy with his game-time.

“At the moment, this (Nkunku asking to leave) did not happen. So that’s the situation at this point, but it’s important to say the only way to change the situation is [on] the player side.”