Multiple clubs ‘open talks’ with Chelsea star, Romelu Lukaku ‘informs’ Thomas Tuchel of transfer decision

Chelsea find themselves slightly off the pace of where they would like to be heading into the January transfer window.

After a summer of widespread recruitment, the Blues were heavily touted as title contenders by many, and while they are still in with a chance of lifting the Premier League title, they will also be fully aware that the 10-point gap between themselves and leaders Manchester City will be difficult to bridge.

As such, there’s bound to be plenty of discussion surrounding Chelsea’s approach to the January window over the next few weeks, but while there’s likely to be bountiful speculation about potential incomings, some of the most crucial decisions that the club make are likely to pertain to talent that they have already have on their books.

We’ve gathered up some of the latest updates about players who could be on their way out of Stamford Bridge in the near future.

Rudiger in demand

According to fresh report from Sky Sports, Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus have all “opened talks” with Antonio Rudiger’s representatives over a pre-contract agreement that would see the 28-year-old leave Chelsea once his current deal expires in the summer.

The German has enjoyed a strong start to the season, and has arguably been one of the Blues’ most consistent performers since the beginning of the campaign.

Understandably, his output looks to have garnered attention from a number of elite European clubs, and with little indication that a contract extension in West London is any closer to being agreed, a possible exit is looking more and more probable.

Ultimately, you would imagine that any decision on Rudiger’s future could come down to who can offer him the most lucrative terms in a bidding war, or the greatest chance of guaranteed silverware - and Chelsea are still in with a chance of retaining his services.

While Sky’s report stops short of speculating on who could win the race for the defender’s signature, they do mention that Manchester United interim coach Ralf Rangnick is also an admirer - as well as a known associate of Rudger’s brother/agent.

Christensen talks stall

Rudiger isn’t the only Chelsea defender facing an uncertain future at the club it would seem.

According to Gianluca di Marzio, talks surrounding a contract extension for Andreas Christensen have stalled once again, potentially opening the door for Barcelona to make a January move for the Dane.

Like Rudiger, the 25-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and if an agreement to secure his long-term future can’t be reached then the Blues run the risk of losing him for free at the end of the season.

From a financial point of view, that would be an obvious blow, but its impact from a footballing perspective would ultimately depend on whether or not Chelsea had the funds and time to reinvest any potential transfer fee in a suitable replacement.

Jules Kounde is still on their radar, and if a deal for the Sevilla star can be reignited in the coming weeks, perhaps the prospect of losing Christensen would become a much less daunting one.

Lukaku wants to stay

Without question, the biggest story doing the rounds at Stamford Bridge in recent days has been the Romelu Lukaku saga.

The Belgian gave an interview to Sky Italia in which he seemingly implied that he was unhappy with manager Thomas Tuchel’s tactical approach, and was subsequently omitted from the German’s squad for Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

But despite a flurry of speculation in the days since suggesting that the 28-year-old’s second spell at Stamford Bridge could already be headed for its conclusion, The Times now report that Lukaku has informed his boss that he has no plans to leave Chelsea any time soon.

A quick glance at social media shed some light on the level of indignation many supporters were feeling towards the striker in the aftermath of his continental interview, but if this latest update is to be believed, then his intention to stay in West London could prove to be a very good thing.

Undoubtedly, there’s a lethal goalscorer in there somewhere, despite Lukaku’s recent slump in form, and should he rediscover the kind of ruthless streak that he showed at the start of the season, the Belgian could be the missing piece in the Blues’ title-challenging puzzle.

After such a high-profile return just a matter of months ago, it’s hard to imagine either player or club truly wanting to call time just yet, and there could be plenty to be gained if a resolution can be found.