These stories are samples pulled from external media sources. They do not represent the views or position of Chelsea Football Club.

Blues considering Werner deal

The Telegraph reports Chelsea are checking whether RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner has a release clause which could be activated during the January transfer window.

According to the paper, the 23-year-old German is one of several forwards being considered by the Blues alongside Moussa Dembele, Jadon Sancho, Wilfried Zaha, Leon Bailey and Samuel Chukwueze.

‘Leipzig have made it clear that they will fight to keep Werner in January with the German club top of the Bundesliga table and looking forward to a Champions League last-16 clash against Tottenham Hotspur,’ states the report.

‘But there has been confusion over a supposed release clause in Werner’s contract that has been quoted as low as £25.6million and as high as £51.2m in recent months, which Chelsea have tried to clarify.

‘Germany international Werner has scored 23 goals in 24 games for Leipzig this season and can play out wide as well as through the middle, which would suit Chelsea.’

Aston Villa eye Drinkwater loan

Sky Sports reports Aston Villa are interested in taking Danny Drinkwater on loan in the January transfer window after as cover for the injured John McGinn.

With McGinn out for three months after fracturing his ankle, the newly promoted club are looking to bring in a midfielder to help them move clear of the relegation zone.

‘Sky Sports News has been told that Villa boss Dean Smith sees Drinkwater as a good option to cover for McGinn,’ states the report.

‘Drinkwater is currently on loan at Burnley, but it's unlikely that Sean Dyche will look to extend the deal, even though he has the option to do so once the window opens on January 1.

‘Villa assistant manager John Terry still has a close friendship with Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, so his influence could be key in helping a deal over the line.’

Drinkwater has made only one Premier League appearance for the Clarets since joining them in the summer.

Hazard and Azpilicueta deals among best of decade

The signings of Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta by Chelsea in the summer of 2012 have been listed as two of the best bits of Premier League transfer business in the past 10 years, according to the Daily Mail.

In its round-up, the paper ranked the acquisition of former Blue Hazard as the eighth best deal of the decade.

‘Signed from relative obscurity from Lille at the age of 21, Eden Hazard is now one of the best players in world football,’ states the report which describe his £32m transfer fee as ‘a coup’.

‘A real fans' favourite, the Belgian won four Player of the Year awards in west London, and was even voted into the FIFPro World XI.

‘He'll forever be loved by Chelsea fans.’

The deal which brought Azpilicueta to Stamford Bridge from Marseille is listed at number 11.

‘Arriving from Marseille in 2012, Dave - as he has become known at Chelsea - has become a club legend in his seven-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge. Now the club captain, a Champions League winners' medal is all that's missing from his trophy cabinet,’ the reports adds.

‘He's got two Premier League titles, two Europa League triumphs, he's won the FA Cup and League Cup, and also has been voted Chelsea's Player of the Year. A massive 358 appearances later, £7 million seems a real bargain.’

Another current Chelsea player features higher up in the list with N’Golo Kante listed at number two for his bargain £6 million move from French side Caen to Leicester City in 2015.

Sergio Aguero’s move from Atletico Madrid to Manchester City in 2011 tops the list.