Chelsea transfer rumours and news: Odion Ighalo to replace Monaco-bound Radamel Falcao; Alex Teixeira stalemate

Chelsea are considering a move for Watford striker Odion Ighalo in a bid to take the pressure off Diego Costa, with the Spanish forward currently leading a lone crusade in the Blues’ attacks with both Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao struggling for form and fitness.

Ighalo has already become Watford’s highest ever goalscorer in the Premier League with his 13 goals this season seeing him sit joint-third in the top scorer chart, and he is key factor behind Watford’s impressive first half of the season – although they have suffered an alarming dip in form throughout January.

It’s reported by The Mirror that Ighalo has been identified as a replacement for Remy and Falcao this month, with manager Guus Hiddink determined to add to his attacking options. Watford have already tried to fend off any interested clubs in both Ighalo and his strike-partner Troy Deeney this month, although Hiddink could look to test the Hornets’ resolve.

The move for Ighalo comes as The Telegraph link Falcao with a move back to Monaco. The 29-year-old striker is currently on a season-long loan with the Blues, but has made just nine Premier league appearances and just top flight start all season.

It’s believed that Ligue 1 side Monaco have not ruled out recalling Falcao this month in a bit to get him back to full fitness and use him for the second half of the season, although the 21-point deficit to leaders Paris Saint-Germain is likely to see to Principality battle it out for second place through to the end of the campaign.

Atletico Madrid are also believed to be considering a move for their former striker Costa, although any approach will be delayed until the end of the season. Costa has cut a frustrated figure at Stamford Bridge this season and he was booed by the home fans following the departure of Jose Mourinho in December, and it’s believed Atletico are willing to offer him a way out of London.

One player who could be brought in to add depth to Chelsea’s attacking midfield is Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian Alex Teixeira, although the Ukrainian club are reported to be standing in the way of a possible £30m move. The Daily Star claims that Shakhtar’s billionaire president, Rinat Akhmetov, is reluctant to sell the attacking midfielder, who has already scored 26 goals this season, and despite the player admitting he would jump at the chance to join Chelsea it now looks unlikely .

The Telegraph add that Chelsea also remain interested in both Alexandre Pato of Corinthians and AC Milan’s Carlos Bacca, though progress has been slow so far in the January transfer window. With just 12 days remaining in the transfer window, Chelsea could look to move for he cheaper option and sign Brazil striker Pato, with both Liverpool and Tottenham also linked with the former Inter Milan forward in recent weeks.

Pato would cost around £12m, while Milan would demand at least £30m for Bacca given they only signed him last summer.