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

Blues pursuing Lille’s Soumare

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea are looking to sign talented young midfielder Boubakary Soumare from Lille during the current transfer window.

A product of Paris Saint-Germain’s academy, Soumare has impressed for Lille in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons and has drawn interest from the Blues, Arsenal, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Valencia.

He played in both of Lille’s matches against Chelsea during the group stage of this season’s Champions League.

‘A deal could be done in the next week to 10 days, although Lille would prefer to keep him until after their Ligue 1 home game against PSG on January 26 if they can,’ states the report on the France Under-21 international.

‘Soumare, who has two-and-a-half years left on his Lille contract, is a box-to-box midfielder in the mould of Paul Pogba and has impressed across 23 appearances in all competitions this season, including six in the Champions League.

‘He is expected to be the only one of Lille's promising stars to be sold this month, despite 21-year-old striker Victor Osimhen and 22-year-old centre-back Gabriel also being tracked by top clubs from across Europe.’

Loanee White linked with Chelsea

Sky Sports is also reporting that the Blues are among the clubs monitoring Brighton defender Ben White, who has impressed on loan at Leeds this season.

According to the broadcasters, the Blues, along with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been following the progress of the 22-year-old, who was recently voted the Championship’s best young player in a Sky Sports poll.

‘The three Premier League sides are believed to have been scouting him at recent matches, with the 22-year-old having become a regular in Marcelo Bielsa's side this season, making 25 Championship appearances and two in the Carabao Cup,’ states Sky Sports.

‘There is no break clause in his season-long loan from the Seagulls, however, so the most likely chance of a deal this month would be for a club to buy him and agree to loan him straight back to Leeds for the rest of the campaign.’

Blues not interested in Gabigol

Goal.com says Chelsea are not likely to make an offer for Gabriel Barbosa during the winter transfer window despite earlier reports which suggested the Brazilian striker could be on his way to Stamford Bridge.

It has been widely reported the Blues are in the market for a striker but Barbosa, who scored two late goals to help Flamengo win last year’s Copa Libertadores, does not appear to be on the club’s radar.

‘Chelsea are in the hunt for new attacking players in the January transfer window but have no interest in Gabriel Barbosa, who is attracting the interest of West Ham and Flamengo,’ the website suggests.

‘The 23-year-old scored 43 goals in all competitions for Flamengo during a prolific loan spell from Inter Milan, but has not yet agreed a deal to make that move permanent.

‘And with Chelsea having no intention of making a move, West Ham have emerged as the only other party interested in making a winter bid for the Brazil international.’