Chelsea transfer rumours rated: Blues plot ‘£38m’ swoop, Tottenham ‘step up’ defender chase

Chelsea have gone all out with their recruitment policy in recent years.

The Blues have spent big and lured in some of the brightest talents in global football in their efforts to build a side capable of lifting the Premier League title once again, and after their success in last season’s Champions League and their promising start to this season, it looks as if their gung-ho approach with the chequebook is starting to pay dividends.

But will their propensity for spending carry on into the January window?

We’ve taken a look at some of the most prevalent and eye-catching rumours involving Thomas Tuchel’s men in recent days to see how likely they are to splash the cash - or say goodbye to their key talents - next month.

Ruben Neves to Stamford Bridge?

Ever since he arrived in England with Wolves, it’s felt as if Neves is destined for a move to one of the Premier League’s top, top clubs at some point in his career.

Undeniably classy with a stellar range of passing and a highlights reel that views like his own personal goals of the month competition, the Portuguese international is a serious player, and if a recent report from TodoFichajes is to be believed, Chelsea clearly think so too.

The outlet claims that the Blues are keen on making a move for the 24-year-old in January, with a fee of around £38 million being touted.

Whether Wolves would acquiesce to Neves’ exit, however, especially when they themselves are going so well in the top half of the table, remains to be seen.

Money talks, obviously, and the Blues have plenty of it, but this feels much more like a deal that could be revisited in the summer than it does anything that might happen imminently.

Digne on Chelsea radar?

One player who could be on the move in January, however, is Lucas Digne.

The Everton full-back appears to have fallen foul of Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park, and has been left out of the Toffees’ last few matches following reports of a falling out with the Spanish manager.

That’s where Chelsea seemingly come in. According to the Sunday People, the Blues are keeping tabs on the Frenchman’s situation on Merseyside as it develops.

Of course, Tuchel already has both Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso at his disposal, but with the former currently out injured and the latter struggling to recapture his best form at left wing-back, a move for a new player in that position doesn’t seem wholly unfeasible.

Talents as impressive as Digne rarely become available so readily, and it’s not unimaginable that Chelsea could swoop.

Tottenham in for Rudiger?

From a possible incoming to a possible outgoing, with Football Insider reporting that Tottenham are looking to step up their efforts to land Antonio Rudiger.

The German’s contract saga is a well-documented one at this point, with the long and the short of it being that his deal at Stamford Bridge is up in the summer and he is yet to agree a new one, thus alerting a number of Europe’s top clubs to his precarious situation.

And it would appear that Spurs fancy their chances of luring him across the capital with a January agreement ahead of a summer move.

It is understood that they will step up their efforts over the next few days, and while Chelsea fans will be eager to see this particular line of speculation dissipate into the ether, they will be acutely aware of just how easily Rudiger could pack up his things and walk away - potentially to an arch rival.

To make matters worse, the centre-back has history with Spurs boss Antonio Conte from their shared time at Stamford Bridge, and has openly spoken of his admiration of the Italian in the past.

It’s not panic stations just yet, but this could be one to keep half an eye on.