Transfer Rumors: Chelsea Aiming For Double Swoop In January Featuring Barcelona Forward

KEY POINTS

Chelsea is once again linked to transfer moves for Declan Rice and Ousmane Dembele
Rice's connections with Mason Mount are seen as the biggest reasons for the move
Dembele is reportedly looking for a challenge away from Barcelona

The winds of change are starting to blow around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea has been tipped to make a move to both world-class talents in Declan Rice and disgruntled Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele in the upcoming January transfer window.

Chelsea pursuing the West Ham United midfielder is not a surprise since the club is more than willing to acquire more and more talent to their already loaded midfield depth.

Rice’s name was linked heavily to a move out of the London Stadium during the summer transfer window with Manchester United being the most interested.

However, it now seems more likely that he joins Chelsea due to the likelihood of them being willing to pay the reported €100 million ($113 million) transfer fee for him according to Caught Offside, who cited a report from Todo Fichajes.

Rice has familiarity with Chelsea as he started his football career with them as a youth player back in 2006, and a reunion might not be that far off.

Last week, West Ham United legend Tony Cottee talked about where he thinks Rice would end up and has come to the conclusion that it has to be with Chelsea thanks to his friendship with Mason Mount.

On the Dembele front, the same article from Caught Offisde referenced a report from Sport that Chelsea is in the running to acquire the 24-year-old from Barcelona.

Dembele is allegedly in search of a greater challenge away from Camp Nou and is targeting a move to the English Premier League.

His contract is set to expire in the summer of 2022 after joining Barcelona on a €105 million ($118.8 million) deal back in 2017.

However, Chelsea is not alone in their pursuit of Dembele as Tottenham, Manchester United, Juventus and Bayern Munich are all interested in signing him.

Dembele has seen himself fall out of favor with the Barcelona management in recent weeks, which has seen him decline multiple contract extensions.

Acquiring both players either in the upcoming transfer window or in the summer will put Chelsea in a much better position to succeed next season.