Transfer Talk: Chelsea plot Felix loan in January sales

Chelsea are set to pursue a loan deal for Atletico Madrid playmaker Joao Felix in January.

The Blues have struggled in front of goal this season with just 17 strikes — the worst tally in the top half of the table.

And The Telegraph claim they will attempt to solve the problem with a swoop for Portugal star Felix on an initial short-term deal with an obligation to buy in the summer.

Summer arrivals Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have just four league goals between them, while Kai Havertz has not proved to be a reliable centre forward.

Graham Potter has also lost Armando Broja for the rest of the season to an ACL injury suffered in a friendly clash with Aston Villa.

Felix has struggled to live up to his £113million price tag in the Spanish capital and does not seem to fit with Diego Simeone's robust approach.

But his World Cup performances for Portugal alerted clubs and there is expected to be a scramble for his signature.

Chelsea's top-four rivals Manchester United and Arsenal are also in the hunt for the 23-year-old.

In other news

Arsenal have made a £55m bid for Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to The Telegraph.

Reports in Spain claim Barcelona will refuse to sell Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong after the Dutchman became a key part of Xavi's plans.

Liverpool will not stop their Jude Bellingham pursuit despite pipping United to Cody Gakpo's signature, claim the Daily Mail.