Chelsea Transfer News: Suarez, Falcao, Willian and Bony All Discussed in the Latest Speculation

Chelsea may have to be patient in their reported pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao. The Colombian has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge since the summer and with Fernando Torres’ continued struggles, a January deal had been strongly suggested.

However, it would appear that Falcao’s influential agent Jorge Mendes is discounting the chances that the prolific 26-year-old could leave in the New Year.

Former Atletico fan favorite Paulo Futre has revealed to Spanish publication Marca a conversation he recently held with his friend Mendes.

“Is it true that Falcao could be leaving Atletico de Madrid in the January transfer window?" Futre reportedly asked Mendes in a telephone conversation. The Portuguese agent replied: "You're mad Paulo, they're just rumors. Radamel isn't leaving Atletico. It'd be impossible for him to leave in January.”

With Atletico currently sitting in second place in La Liga, there is little surprise that the club would be reluctant to lose their star player midway through the season. Falcao, who has scored 11 goals in 12 league games this season, has also been linked with Manchester City.

And Chelsea may also be set to face competition from Manchester City for Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Willian. The Blues have been linked to the Brazilian for some time, with reports claiming that the club have already had a bid rejected.

According to the Daily Mirror, though, Manchester City have also shown an interest in the 24-year-old and recently sent a scout to watch him in action. With Shakhtar having already qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League—from the same group as Chelsea—the Ukrainian outfit are unlikely to part with Willian in January. A bidding war next summer could well be on the cards.

In other transfer news, the Daily Express claims that Chelsea will attempt to pry Luis Suarez away from Liverpool. The speculation follows on from a recent story in the Sunday People which suggested that Blues owner Roman Abramovich had set his sights on teaming up Suarez with Falcao in a new look front line at Stamford Bridge.

Suarez has recently been linked with Manchester City as well as with Atletico Madrid as a potential replacement for Falcao. The Uruguayan recently spoke of his commitment to Liverpool, however, and it is likely to take in excess of £40 million to bring Liverpool to the negotiating table. The 25-year-old is currently the Premier League’s top scorer with 10 goals.

Chelsea could be set to boost their attacking options with a less expensive January addition in the form of Vitesse Arnhem’s Wilfried Bony. The Daily Express reports that the prolific 23-year-old remains on Chelsea’s agenda and could be set for an £8 million move in the New Year.

An Ivory Coast international, Bony has scored an incredible 15 goals in 14 Eredivisie matches so far this season.

Bony, who has previously spoken in favor of a move to Stamford Bridge, is also claimed to be interesting Liverpool and Aston Villa.