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

Blues keen on West Ham target Fernandes

Sky Sports reports Chelsea have made an offer to Benfica to sign Portugal international midfielder Gedson Fernandes on loan.

Fernandes has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham United during the January transfer window but with the east London side yet to agree a deal, it appears the door has been opened for Chelsea to put in a bid.

According to the report, the Blues have made an offer to Benfica of an 18-month loan with an obligation to buy for £55m.

‘Chelsea's offer for Fernandes is dependent on the Portugal international midfielder playing at least 50 per cent of games during his loan spell at Stamford Bridge,’ the report adds.

‘The final decision on where the 20-year-old will end up rests with Benfica and the player himself.The midfielder is believed to favour a move to the Premier League and his preferred destination is understood to be London for family reasons.

‘Fernandes' release clause is £102m but Benfica have already conceded they will not get close to that figure for a player who is out of favour and is reported to have fallen out with head coach Bruno Lage.’

Offer tabled for Diallo

According to the Sun, a report in France indicates Chelsea have made an offer to Ligue 1 side Metz for Senegal international striker Habib Diallo.

Regional newspaper Republicain Lorrain claims the Blues have put in a formal bid of £17million for the 24-year-old, who came through Metz’s youth system and played a big role in helping them regain their top-flight status last season.

‘Leicester and Tottenham have both been linked with the Senegal international,’ adds the report.

‘But Chelsea have apparently moved into pole position for the hitman, who has 10 goals in 19 appearances for Metz this season.

‘Diallo scored 26 to inspire Metz's promotion to Ligue 1 and his form has continued into the current campaign.’

Christensen linked with AC Milan

Sky Sports in Italy reports Andreas Christensen could be heading to Serie A with AC Milan looking to improve their form after a poor first half of the season.

The seven-time European champions are in the bottom half of the table after losing eight of their first 18 games of the season and had been looking to sign Barcelona's Jean-Clair Todibo on loan.

However, with the young Frenchman likely to join German side Schalke instead, the Italian giants have turned their attention instead to the Chelsea centre-back.

‘With [Todino’s] move possibly stalled, Milan are looking at other options and Denmark international Christensen could fit the bill to strengthen their options at the back,’ states the Sky Sports report.

‘Milan, who are a lowly 12th in Serie A, would like any deal to be an initial loan with the option to buy.

‘Christensen has found himself falling behind Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.’

Christensen previously spent two seasons on loan in Germany with Borussia Monchengladbach.