Chelsea to sign James Rodriguez?

Chelsea are reportedly prepared to break their transfer record to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid. The Colombia international was previously on the Blues radar in the summer.

Rodriguez, 25, was the subject of a failed loan approach from the Blues in the summer after the club were almost done with their transfer budget.

According to The Sun, the Premier League leaders will return for the playmaker next month with Conte keen to add a new attacker to his star-studded squad.

Oscar's imminent £60m transfer to Shanghai SIPG has provided a boost to the Blues, who could cough up a club-record fee to land Rodriguez in January.

Real Madrid are said to value Rodriguez in the £75m range, and this is something the Blues would be willing to match as they seek to distance themselves further from the trailing pack.

Chelsea currently hold a seven-point gap in the league standings over close rivals Manchester City.