The January transfer window is now open, with Chelsea continuing to be linked with a host of big names.

The Blues were the biggest spenders in the summer, splashing more than £200m, but they have been tipped to do yet more business in January as they look to bridge the gap to the leading pack in the Premier League.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings from Stamford Bridge.

Monday morning's Chelsea transfer talk news roundup:

Chelsea 'want to sign Dayot Upamecano this summer'

Chelsea are reportedly keen to bring RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano to Stamford Bridge during this summer's transfer window.

The 22-year-old was strongly linked with both Liverpool and Manchester United last year but signed a new deal with his Bundesliga club at the end of July.

The Frenchman's contract is thought to include a release clause in the region of £40m, though, and Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff recently hinted that the defender could soon be on the move.

According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea have now joined the race for Upamecano, although Frank Lampard's side could face competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

The report claims that Thiago Silva's age, in addition to the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori, means that the London club want to sign a new central defender ahead of the 2021-22 campaign.

Upamecano has made 123 appearances for Leipzig since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg in 2017.

Chelsea 'will not let Ross Barkley leave on the cheap'

Aston Villa would reportedly have to fork out a hefty sum of money to sign Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley on a permanent deal.

The former Everton man joined Villa on loan in the summer and impressed for the West Midlands outfit before sustaining a hamstring injury back in November.

Following his bright start to life for Dean Smith's European-chasing pack, rumours of a permanent deal for the 27-year-old at Villa Park have begun to emerge after an underwhelming time at Chelsea so far.

However, BirminghamLive reports that if the Blues did decide to offload Barkley permanently, they would not allow him to leave on the cheap given his wage and contractual situation.

Barkley is tied down to Chelsea until 2023 and is understood to be pocketing £100k per week in the English capital, and the report claims that Villa could swoop for Bournemouth's David Brooks if a move for Barkley does not come to fruition.

The England international boasts two goals and one assist for Villa in the current campaign and could be back for Wednesday's visit of Tottenham Hotspur, although the fixture is shrouded in uncertainty due to the Villans' recent coronavirus outbreak.

More transfer news from Chelsea:

Fikayo Tomori 'demands January exit from Chelsea'
Chelsea centre-back Fikayo Tomori demands to leave the Blues on loan, according to a report. Read more.

Declan Rice 'not interested in Manchester United move'
West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice does not want to join Manchester United, according to a report. Read more.