Chelsea are keen to sign Monaco’s Thomas Lemar in January, with growing doubts about their current wide options, and no progress made on a move for Leon Bailey.

The Blues are considering a bid for Lemar in the winter window, according to the Evening Standard. Willian is struggling for form with the Premier League champions, with only two league goals so far. Eden Hazard is playing well, but that’s given new life to rumours of a switch to Real Madrid.

The club reportedly looked at Bailey as a possible replacement, but Rudi Voller ruled that transfer out. The Bayer Leverkusen sporting director insisted the Bundesliga club have proven they can say ‘no’, and aren’t concerned with bids coming in for such an important player.

Rudi Voller
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – APRIL 02: Sports director Rudi Voeller of Leverkusen is seen during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg at BayArena on April 2, 2017 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

That all leaves Lemar looking like a key target for Antonio Conte. Arsenal reportedly also plan to go back in for the Frenchman, after their summer bid fell through. But the Gunners’ bid will likely depend on what happens with Alexis Sanchez.

The club’s £90m summer bid for the 22-year-old depended on City’s £60m bid for Sanchez. If the Chilean decides to leave for free, £90m suddenly costs the club a lot more. Plus, now they have Chelsea to compete against, so the situation doesn’t look particularly encouraging.