Chelsea transfer rumours and news: Bologna wonderkid Amadou Diawara a target; Paris rubbish Marco Verratti talk; Loic Remy linked with Newcastle

Guss Hiddink's men have reportedly been informed to forget trying to sign Marco Verratti while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain emerges as a target

Marco Verratti (Getty)

Chelsea are reportedly in discussions with Bologna youngster Amadou Diawara, the 18-year-old often likened to former Blues midfielder Michael Essien. The Guinean wonderkid is under contract at Bologna until 2020 but, according to Tutto Mercato in Italy, representatives of the player have been sent to London to discuss the possibility of joining Guus Hiddink’s men.

Diawara is among the brightest talents in European football at present and with Financial Fair Play regulations limiting the amount of money clubs can spend on transfers, sides are more inclined to bid lower amounts on young prospects. The report suggests an offer of £10m should suffice and could be submitted in the coming weeks.

Paris Saint German have informed the Premier League champions it would take an offer of £59m to make them consider selling Italian Marco Verratti. The central midfielder is vital to the Parisian outfit’s Champions League aspirations and is unlikely to fancy a switch to London with Hiddink’s men languishing in the table. But Chelsea remain determined to strengthen this month and could be prepared to pay the outlandish fee, according to SportsVibe.

Paris are desperate to keep their squad together as they make a credible claim to lift the European Cup this season. Verratti has recently returned from a recent injury lay-off, decreasing his chances of moving to Chelsea further.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (EPA)

Another player who could make a surprise switch to Stamford Bridge is Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The England star is highly-rated by manager Arsene Wenger but Chelsea are reported to be interested in securing his services should they sell Eden Hazard to Real Madrid. The Sun suggest the Spanish giants are desperate to land the Belgian despite his poor start to the season at Stamford Bridge. New boss Zinedine Zidane is known to be a fierce admirer of Hazard.

It is claimed that former Blues manager Jose Mourinho set the wheels in motion on a bid for Oxlade-Chamberlain last summer and the club are happy to continue where he left off, despite sacking the Portuguese in December.

The Blues are allegedly contemplating a bid for Lokomotiv Moscow’s Senegalese star Oumar Niasse in the coming days. As Premier League title rivals Manchester United eye a £30m swoop for countryman Saidio Mane, Hiddink and the rest of the Chelsea backroom staff would prefer to part with a more economical £15m on Niasse.

FourFourTwo report that a series of English clubs have shown an interest in the 25-year-old, who has notched eight goals in 15 matches this term, but the Londoners remain in the hot seat should they decided to back up their interest with a firm offer this month. “Mourinho was very keen to sign me, but unfortunately he was fired,” Niasse commented recently. “I am trying not to get distracted. But if there will be a specific offer, I might leave Lokomotiv.”

Loïc Rémy (left) and Radamel Falcao (centre) in training for Chelsea (Rex Features)

Newcastle United have seemingly joined the race to re-sign former loanee Loic Remy, if Steve McClaren’s cryptic comments are anything to by. Aston Villa boss Remi Garde earned a rebuke from Hiddink recently after publically announcing his interest in the France international, but his Magpies counterpart has been more coy.

Newcastle have been rumoured to be preparing a loan move to bring Remy back to St James’ Park. But when asked if club was interested, McClaren simply said: “We can’t disclose that.”