Chelsea have reason to complete Viktor Gyokeres transfer as double exit sanctioned for £49m deal

Chelsea's emphatic 8-0 win over FC Noah in midweek has set them up nicely for Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal. Enzo Maresca's men welcome the Gunners to Stamford Bridge full of confidence with most players in good form.

Sunday's game will present another difficult test for the Blues after back-to-back tough league games against Newcastle and Manchester United. Mikel Arteta's men are, however, struggling and visit west London on the back of two straight defeats.

Despite the confidence flowing at Cobham and Chelsea finally challenging at the right end of the Premier League table, talk has already begun linking them with new players ahead of January.

Here, football.london takes a look at the latest transfer news and gossip...

Chelsea told to copy Drogba trick

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has claimed the Blues have a unique reason to sign another striker despite Nicolas Jackson finally finding his feet at Stamford Bridge.

So far this season, Jackson has scored six goals and assisted a further three in the Premier League. He has become Maresca's first-choice No.9 yet Mikel believes another centre-forward to compete with Jackson, not replace him, could be crucial.

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Speaking on his The Obi One Podcast, he said: "Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres all came in to keep Didier Drogba on his toes, he knew that. That’s what made him the player he was and that’s what I think Nicolas Jackson needs. We need another top striker to keep the competition healthy.”

football.london says: "When Chelsea were England's best team, their options at centre-forward were unmatched. But right now, Chelsea don't need another striker. Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix are capable of doing the job and Marc Guiu is waiting in the ranks.

"The problem over the last three years has been the club's constant desire to sign players without any thinking. That has shown signs of slowing down but signing a striker like, let's say, Viktor Gyokeres would only dishearten Jackson, rather than provide a positive impact."

Double exit approved for La Liga signing

Ahead of January, Chelsea are looking to allow players to leave the club to fund a move for Atletico Madrid star Pablo Barrios. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Blues are keen on bringing the Spaniard to London after being impressed with his performances.

Barrios has made 69 appearances for Atletico already but has had his 2024/25 season hampered with injuries. The report adds that Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei are the two players who could be allowed to leave.

It's also reported that the Blues are weighing up an offer worth €60million (£49.8m).

football.london says: "This is the sort of transfer rumour that we've become so used too at Chelsea. Two risky signings that haven't fully lived up to the expectation now being considered to be let go to sanction another transfer.

"Barrios is one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in Europe and has certainly caught the eye at Atletico. However, is paying £50m for a player with not much senior football experience the right strategy? I'd guess not, especially when you consider Maresca's options in midfield already."