Chelsea set to splash the cash in major squad overhaul

Although Chelsea’s recent domestic successes haven’t come solely from almost insurmountable funding in the transfer market, it certainly helped Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti bring home silverware.

Now, Andre Villas-Boas is looking to follow suit, having reportedly drawn up a list of players whose combined transfer fees would surpass £80million.

The Portuguese boss has re-ignited his interest in the man he pursued for the majority of the summer, and the Luka Modric saga could be set to spark back into life, with Frank Lampard apparently being considered as bait.

Modric has managed to rediscover the imperious form of the last campaign, despite having his head turned by the Stamford Bridge outfit’s obvious intent to capture him in pre-season.

Lampard is a Chelsea legend though, and it is difficult to envisage him moving to a London rival, even if it is for the opportunity to play under his uncle.

Obviously keen to bolster his midfield ranks, Villas-Boas is also believed to be monitoring Barcelona’s young Spanish playmaker Thiago Alacantra, who struggles to hold down a first team spot against the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, along with Real Madrid’s German holding midfielder Sami Khedira, who has fallen out of favour at Santiago Bernabeu.

Rumours also continue to circulate with regards to players departing Chelsea in January, and Arsene Wenger is reportedly keen to offer Salomon Kalou more first-team opportunities at the Emirates Stadium.

Should he move on, the Blues would look to Marseille winger Andre Ayew, who can also operate as a front man, to inject added invention into what so many are describing as an ageing lineup.

He would cost in the region of £10million, but that fee could be subsidised by want-away forward Nicolas Anelka’s seemingly inevitable departure.