Julian Draxler
Julian Draxler is in demand from some of Europe's biggest clubs. Reuters

Jose Mourinho is reportedly intent on bringing Schalke starlet Julian Draxler to the club in the January transfer window. The 20-year old has been linked to many of Europe’s top clubs for some time and last season became the youngest player ever to make 100 competitive appearances for a Bundesliga club. He revealed in August that he rejected the chance to leave this summer, with Real Madrid and Manchester City are believed to have made offers. But, citing stories in Germany, the Daily Star reports that Mourinho wants Chelsea to make a bid of £25 million when the window reopens.

Such a transfer looks unlikely to happen in midseason. The most apparent hurdle to any deal is that Draxler will be cup-tied for the Champions League. Schalke certainly do not envisage there even being a question of the Germany international departing in January.

“Julian Draxler will be at our club this season, that is for sure," general manager Horst Heldt told Kicker-Sportmagazin. "There will be no fuss regarding him during the January window as he is committed to our club.”

Draxler, who has scored two goals already for Schalke in the Champions League this term, is not concerned about speculation, either. "I am focused on playing well for Schalke 04,” he said, according to the Daily Express. “All the rest is something the general manager will be worried with."

Quite where Draxler would fit in a Chelsea team that is already teeming with attacking midfielders is another factor in making this particular speculation seem somewhat far-fetched. There are reports, though, that Chelsea could soon free up a space in their midfield. According to Metro, Real Madrid are considering launching a £15 million offer for Ramires.

The dynamic Brazilian arrived at Stamford Bridge under current Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti and it is claimed that both parties would be keen on a reunion.

Mourinho’s main area of concern right now is surely his options up front. None of his three strikers -- Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba -- have yet scored a Premier League goal this season, while Romelu Lukaku is flourishing on loan at Everton. With there being no clause to recall Lukaku in January, Mourinho could yet decide he needs to make a change, if things do not improve.

Citing stories in Turkey, Talksport reports that Chelsea could renew their interest in Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz in the next transfer window and is willing to offer Ba in part-exchange. Burak came to wider prominence last season when he scored eight goals in the Champions League in his first campaign with Galatasaray.

The 28-year-old was left of Roberto Mancini’s first lineup, as the new Galatasaray coach went with just Didier Drogba up front. And it appears that the Turkish champions would be prepared to let Burak leave.

"If he wants to go and Chelsea are interested then of course, why not?” chairman Unai Aysal said, according to Sky Sports. "I favor Turkish players going to Europe to play in European leagues."

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