Despite the transfer window being closed, there is always transfer gossip doing the rounds in the papers and we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest news during the coming months. Today, Chelsea are linked with Alvaro Negredo.

Alvaro Negredo has emerged as a key target for Chelsea when the January transfer window re-opens, according the Daily Mail.

The report claims the European champions have identified the Sevilla hitman as a potential signing next month as Rafa Benitez looks to add a forward to replace the Liverpool-bound Daniel Sturridge.

Should Sturridge complete his protracted move to Merseyside then it would leave Fernando Torres as the only recognised striker at Stamford Bridge so it’s no wonder Benitez appears to be on the look-out for a goal-scorer. The Mirror suggest that Negredo would cost Chelsea in the region of £15m as Sevilla are said to be keen for a quick sale to help ease their financial problems at the club.

Negredo has been a huge hit at Sevilla since arriving from Almeria in 2009 – scoring 52 goals in 112 games. His form has seen him break into the Spain squad and the 27-year-old has scored 6 goals in his 12 caps so far.

If he does make the move to West London, Negredo will join an ever-growing Spanish contingent at Chelsea that already includes Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, Oriol Romeu, Cesar Azpilicueta and of course interim manager Rafa Benitez, so he will certainly be made to feel at home.

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The former Real Madrid man is a powerfully built, 6 foot 1 inch striker so should have no problems adapting to the physical aspect of Premiership football – if he does end up moving to these shores next month. His strike-rate at Sevilla is about 1 in 2 so he certainly knows where the goal is and he would give the Blues a much-needed alternative up front.

Will he end up at Chelsea? It’s hard to say. Nothing official has come out from either club so let’s see how this rumour develops over the next few weeks.

Would CFC fans like to see Negredo move to Stamford Bridge? Get involved in the comments section below.

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