Chelsea Transfer Rumor: Blues to Lose Midfielder Florent Malouda in £20M January Bid from Anzhi?

With the January transfer window close at hand, Chelsea could lose their talented French midfielder Florent Malouda to cash-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, who have expressed their interest in the Frenchman.

Malouda had previously been linked with a move to Italian club Juventus, only for him to refuse any talk of a transfer, considering his wages at the English club. However, Malouda's first team opportunities seem to have become somewhat limited following Spaniard Juan Mata's arrival from Valencia and he may now fancy a move to earn more playing time.

Anzhi, meanwhile, are now one of Europe's richest clubs, having received the financial backing of businessman and investor Suleyman Kerimov. They now look set to push for entry into the European Champions League and face off against Europe's elite. The Russian club spent a record £18 million to acquire the services of winger Yuri Zhirkov, also from Chelsea and is now eyeing Malouda, who is believed to have a price tag of £20 million.

Chelsea may look to sell the Frenchman in order to make way for a new player in January, according to a footylatest.com report.

Florent Johan Malouda, who arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2007 to play under former manager Jose Mourinho, has made 189 appearances for the club and scored 42 times.