David Villa
Despite starting just six La Liga games this season, David Villa has still amassed five goals.  Reuters

Chelsea are continuing to be linked with a move to bring in Barcelona forward David Villa. The Daily Mail reports that the Blues are eager to bring in the 31-year-old next month, potentially on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Villa has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Barcelona side since his return from a broken leg at the start of the campaign. Reports emerging from Spain in recent days had suggested that the former Valencia man could well leave the Camp Nou at the end of the season, although a move in January was unlikely to be countenanced.

Chelsea, though, are in need of forward reinforcements for the rest of the season. Daniel Sturridge is widely expected to join Liverpool when the transfer window opens, leaving Fernando Torres as the club’s only established front man.

A player like Villa, who is capable of operating as an alternative to Torres through the middle or supporting him from out wide, would appear to be the best option. Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle may also be a legitimate option.

Another player who could perhaps fit that bill is Santos star Neymar. The 20-year-old Brazilian has been consistently linked with a move to Europe’s big clubs, with Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United all reported to be interested.

However, Neymar has again said that he is happy to remain with Santos for the time being.

“I am happy at Santos, with my family, son, friends, so it's not the moment to leave,” he said, according to Sky Sports.

"That moment will come because I have the dream of playing in Europe since I was a kid, but that moment hasn't come yet. Today, I don't see myself playing for any other team [but Santos]."

With Santos having failed to qualify for the Copa Libertadores and having only the Sao Paulo state championship to contest in the next few months, there had been reports that he could make his long-awaited move in January.

It also looks unlikely that Chelsea will be able to attract Edinson Cavani to the club next month. The Napoli front man was repeatedly linked to the Blues in the summer, while Manchester City were also thought to be pursuing the Uruguay international.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has now revealed to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport that he rejected a massive €55 million (£45m) offer from an unnamed club during the past transfer window. De Laurentiis also confirmed that the new contract Cavani signed in August contains a buyout clause of €63 million (£51.7m).

Demba Ba is another name discussed as a January target for Chelsea, but the Newcastle striker has recently talked up a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain. The Senegal international has a £7 million release clause in his contract and has been linked to both Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, the 27-year-old has said that he would welcome the chance to join the big-spending Ligue 1 leaders.

“I watch PSG as a fan, a supporter,” he said, according to the Daily Telegraph. “I have never hidden my attraction to the club and have been a supporter since I was little.

"Now, they are doing important things, big projects for the future, and of course it would please me to play in the colors of a team I support.

"But as I said about Arsenal, it's something which is a long way off. For the moment, I am concentrating on what I have to do with my team—getting Newcastle out of the mess we are in.

"But it is true that PSG is a special club for me."