Chelsea transfer news: Blues to ‘hijack’ Arsenal deal for striker, West Ham ‘offered’ £12m Leeds United target

Chelsea are one of only a few Premier League clubs that only played one friendly during the World Cup break and will now prepare to host Bournemouth on December 27. The Blues fell to defeat against Aston Villa at the weekend but were without a number of key players including Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic.

The latter faced Argentina in the World Cup semi-final last night but were dramatically knocked out of the competition thanks to a goal from Lionel Messi and a brace from Manchester City striker Julien Alvarez. Hakim Ziyech’s place in the highly anticipated final remains in question as Morocco take on England this evening as they look to continue an unbelievable run after beating both Spain and Portugal in the knockouts.

Here is today’s Premier League transfer news.

SEVILLA 'KEEN' ON NOTTINGHAM FOREST LOAN FLOP

Sevilla have expressed their interest in Rennes defender Loic Bade and would like them to cut his loan deal at Nottingham Forest short so they can sign him. The 22-year-old has only made the bench once under Steve Cooper. (El Chiringuito)

LIVERPOOL TO 'HOLD' SECOND MEETING WITH WORLD CUP STAR

Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are reportedly set for further talks with Sofyan Amrabat over a move to Anfield. Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked to the Moroccan midfielder. (Liverpool Echo)

LEICESTER CITY 'PREPARE' £39M BID FOR MOROCCO MIDFIELDER

Leicester City are reportedly interested in signing Angers midfielder Azzedine Ounahi and could bid around £39m next month following a successful World Cup campaign with Morocco. A number of clubs across Europe, including Sevilla and Barcelona, are interested in the 22-year-old. (L'Equipe)

CHELSEA SET TO 'HIJACK' ARSENAL DEAL FOR STRIKER

Chelsea are reportedly looking to hijack Arsenal's potential deal for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic after contacting his agent over a move. The 22-year-old was linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium at the start of the year. (football.london)

COVENTRY CITY STAR ON EVERTON'S 'RADAR'

Everton are said to be monitoring Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the January transfer window. The 25-year-old has nine goals in the Championship this season. (Dean Jones)

MAN UTD 'HANDED' BOOST IN CODY GAKPO PURSUIT

Manchester United have been handed a boost in their pursuit of PSV forward Cody Gakpo, with the Dutch club reportedly expecting their star man to leave in the January transfer window. PSV are said to have slapped a £34-38m price tag on Gakpo. (football.london)

WEST HAM ‘OFFERED’ £12M LEEDS UTD TARGET

West Ham are reportedly set to be offered the chance to sign Torino midfielder Sasa Lukic in a swap deal that would include Mikola Vlasic heading the other diretion. Leeds United are currently in pole position to sign the 26-year-old. (Tuttosport)

ARSENAL ‘URGED’ TO SIGN NEWCASTLE UTD ACE

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has urged his former club to consider signing Allan Saint-Maximin in the January transfer window. The Frenchman has only made three starts in the Premier League this season due to injury. (Express)