Chelsea's transfer plans for January revealed, if transfer ban is lifted

Premier League giants Chelsea are confident that their transfer ban will be lifted ahead of this year's winter transfer window. They have already started preparing for what could turn out to be a busy window in West London. 

Chelsea's transfer plans were hit a major blow by FIFA as they banned them from signing players for two transfer windows, after a probe into their recruitment of foreign players under the age of 18.

However, the Blues' legal team is confident that it can get the transfer ban overturned before January and the club can once again sign players.

A top striker was believed to be a priority at Stamford Bridge for quite some time now and even with the kind of form Tammy Abraham has been enjoying, it has not changed. The Blues are still in the hunt for a quality striker who can compete with Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi, with Olivier Giroud likely to be shipped out. Reports claim that they have Bournemouth star Callum Wilson and RB Leipzig hit-man Timo Werner on their radar.

Wilson has been enjoying a good run of form this campaign. The 27-year-old has been linked with a number of big clubs in recent years and it is the ideal time for him to make his big leap. However, he is a regular for the Cherries and competition will be much more intense at Chelsea. So, from the player's point of view, a move might not be an ideal one.

In case of Werner, it makes even less sense. Werner is one of the most highly rated young strikers in the world and there is no way he will move to Chelsea to play second-fiddle to Abraham. Frank Lampard is also looking for a new winger who can replace Willian. The Brazilian has failed to agree a new contract and could leave for free next summer.

Werner is a fairly versatile player who can play on the flanks too but it's unlikely that he will want to move to a new club where he will be playing as a winger instead of as a striker. Lampard is determined to stick to his philosophy of playing young English players but is realistic about where he could strengthen the squad. Further, the Chelsea board looks to have complete confidence in the young manager.

Giroud will reportedly be allowed to leave in the new year if the ban is scrapped, freeing up funds. He is wanted by Crystal Palace as well as Italian giants Internazionale, now managed by former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. Let's see where things go from here now.

Cover image credits: Fox Sports