Alvaro Morata has ordered Chelsea to sign Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to shock reports in Spain.
The Blues striker wants the exciting youngster to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim Eden Hazard is expected to make a switch to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
And that has led to Morata demanding Chelsea officials sign Asensio as his replacement.
The forward is also said to be keen on a move to the Blues with his playing time limited at the Bernabeu.
The 22-year-old has had to rely on substitute appearances in La Liga despite Real’s poor form.
Chelsea train before FA Cup fourth round tie against Newcastle
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“If it’s a Crouch or Carroll, it’s just a back-up but Dzeko is something different”
Frank Lampard
Chelsea look set to miss out on Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud to Borussia Dortmund, according to the bookies.
BetStars Director of Trading Ian Marmion said: “With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang expected to arrive at the Emirates, Olivier Giroud could go the other way as part of a swap deal.
“The French striker is priced at 11/10 to make Dortmund his next club.
“Chelsea are also in the market for the 31-year-old forward but look to have been beaten to the punch by Dortmund.
“The Blues are now priced at 4/1 with BetStars to sign Giroud.
“Fenerbahce and West Ham remain interested, but are outsiders at 16/1 and 20/1 respectively.”
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Frank Lampard would love to Edin Dzeko at Chelsea this month but knows January is a difficult time to complete transfers.
He told the Evening Standard: “Carroll and Crouch are not the kind of names Chelsea have gone for in the past.
“But January is a tough one and Sanchez is a one-off. The majority of the time you’re looking at making minor adjustments.
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“If it’s a Crouch or Carroll, it’s just a back-up but Dzeko is something different. He is a very good player, an all-round striker with all the attributes.
“In terms of investing heavily, that will come in the summer. It’s very easy to say that Crouch and Carroll are not Chelsea signings but it’s not an indication of where Chelsea are going.
“It is more a sign that the manager doesn’t think they strengthened enough last summer.”