Chelsea have reportedly made Everton midfielder Ross Barkley their number one transfer target as they prepare to go on a spending spree during the January window.
Blues boss Antonio Conte is understood to have been unhappy with the club's transfer activity during the summer, but he is expected to be heavily backed once the window reopens in January as Chelsea look to cling on in the Premier League title race.
Barkley has not featured so far this season due to a hamstring injury but is expected to leave Everton in January despite the departure of Ronald Koeman, who had previously told the midfielder that he had no future at the club.
The 23-year-old's contract expires at the end of the campaign and Everton will look to cash in on the England international with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur among the clubs interested having missed out during the summer.
The Mirror also reports that Chelsea are interested in Juventus full-back Alex Sandro - another player they failed to sign despite their best efforts during the last transfer window.
Conte is still eager to sign a striker as backup to Alvaro Morata too, with the Italian reportedly preferring either Christian Benteke or Red Star Belgrade forward Richmond Boakye to Michy Batshuayi.
Chelsea recently saw technical director Michael Emenalo step down from his role, although the club are not expected to alter their transfer plans as a result of that.
Barney Corkhill
