Neymar
Chelsea will hope that the presence of Oscar can give them an edge in the battle to sign Brazilian superstar Neymar. Reuters

There has been further news over the weekend about the man thought to be Chelsea’s primary transfer target, Radamel Falcao. Chelsea have long thought to be heading the race to sign the Atletico Madrid striker, however, they could now be set to face serious competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The Daily Telegraph reports that City manager Roberto Mancini watched Falcao during Atletico’s 2-1 victory over Malaga on Sunday. The story claims that City will attempt to sign the 26-year-old in January, although Atletico will resist this attempt.

"We know that Mancini has come to watch, but we are calm on the subject of Falcao.” Atletico president Enrique Cerezo said, according to the Daily Telegraph. “I suppose Mancini is here to look for a house in Malaga!"

City are not the only other club said to be interested in Falcao, with the Daily Mirror reporting that Arsenal could also be a surprise entrant in the tussle for the Colombian’s signature.

As for Falcao himself, who has now scored eight goals in six La Liga matches this season, he has said that he would be interested in a move to the Premier League.

“England? One day, I could go. It is a game I have watched for a long time and one day I would like to sample it," Falcao told The Times.

"I used to watch it on television when I was a kid. Players like Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, [Gianfranco] Zola. But the one I supported was [Faustino] Asprilla, when he was at Newcastle.

"I think I could adapt to England. I think I could score goals."

Falcao is not the only high-profile South American to be linked with Chelsea in recent times, with the Blues also said to be one of a number of clubs planning a move for Neymar when he make his long-awaited move from Brazil to Europe.

“Oscar messages me to tell me what a great club Chelsea is and what a great city London is," Neymar said, according to The Sun.

"He and Dani are both very good salesmen for their club.

"When the time is right I will listen to to the right offers that my agent has for me.

"It is very simple: if Barcelona are interested you listen, if Real Madrid are interested you listen, if Chelsea are interested you listen.

"There are maybe five clubs in the world that you know you must at least listen to."

As Chelsea look to continue revitalizing their squad, the Blues have been linked with a raid on Sampdoria for young trio Pedro Obiang, Roberto Soriano and Nenad Krsticic. The midfielders—aged 20, 21 and 22, respectively—were all watched by a Chelsea scout during Sampdoria’s 1-0 defeat at home to Napoli late last month.

The trio have played a part in establishing Sampdoria in an early midtable position after their return to Serie A this season.