Chelsea transfer news: Guus Hiddink 'wants Jamie Vardy or Saido Berahino' in January as he replaces Jose Mourinho

Diego Costa's struggles this season has led Chelsea to consider alternative options ahead of the January transfer window

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy (Getty Images)

With Guus Hiddink named manager at Chelsea after Jose Mourinho was sacked on Thursday, the club are already looking at plans to strengthen the squad in January.

And according to The Sun, Hiddink has already informed the club that he needs an English striker in January, with both Leicester’s Jamie Vardy and West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino identified as possible targets.

Diego Costa has struggled for form this season having scored just three goals in the Premier League, a measly return when compared to his haul of 12 goals at this stage last season. With neither Eden Hazard nor Cesc Fabregas finding the back of the net this term and summer signing Pedro failing to make the desired impact, the onus has fallen on attacking midfielder Willian to keep Chelsea afloat so far this campaign.

France striker Loic Remy came off the bench in Mourinho’s final match in charge to score what proved to be a consolation goal in the 2-1 defeat by Leicester that sealed the Portuguese’s sacking, but it appear Hiddink already wants more options to choose from if he takes the job as expected.

Hiddink will be in the stands at Stamford Bridge for Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Sunderland as coaches Eddie Newton and Steve Holland take charge of the side, with the Dutchman named manager on Saturday afternoon ahead of assuming full control on Monday.

Radamel Falcao is the only other option Chelsea currently have in attack, but his loan spell from Monaco has proven even more disastrous than his stint with Manchester United last season, and the Colombian striker could yet return to France in January should an agreement be met on an early termination to his contract.

Leicester are determined to hang on to Vardy and have put a price tag in excess of £30m on the 28-year-old, who broke the Premier League record for scoring in consecutive games after finding the back of the net in 11 straight matches earlier this season. With the Foxes surpassing all pre-season expectations in leading the Premier League table after 16 matches, it is not a given that Vardy would be willing to leave the club, given a shock title charge could be on the cards along with inclusion in England’s Euro 2016 squad next summer.

Berahino though could be a much more viable option, with the striker currently having to make do with a place on the West Brom substitutes’ bench and finding his only game time in under-21 fixtures. Tony Pulis has been reluctant to select the 22-year-old this season following a failed attempt from Tottenham to try and sign him in the summer, and he could try and force a move again in January having pushed against the club in a bid to leave twice before.