Chelsea to swap Michy Batshuayi with this Monaco player

With the calendar soon turning over to the new year, the gossip ahead of the January transfer window is heating up. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest rumours.

Chelsea to offer Batshuayi as bait for Lemar

Chelsea are looking to tempt Monaco into selling Thomas Lemar by offering Michy Batshuayi as a makeweight, reports the Telegraph.
The Belgian striker is out of favour under Antonio Conte, who left him on the bench for Tuesday's 3-1 win over Huddersfield despite Alvaro Morata missing the game through injury.
The former Marseille hit man has failed to integrate into Conte's system and the Blues would be willing to allow him to move back to Ligue 1 on loan.
Chelsea could offer £80m for Arsenal target Lemar with a view to utilising Eden Hazard more regularly as a false nine when without Morata.
Another Blue who could be heading for the exit next month is academy prospect Kyle Scott, with the Sun reporting contract negotiations have stalled.
The 19-year-old has just 18 months to run on his deal and now feels he needs to be playing regularly with Leicester and Huddersfield ready to pounce.

AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

Newcastle ready for January spree

Newcastle appear to be on the verge of a takeover but that won't affect plans to spend big next month in order to beat the drop.
The Star believe Rafa Benitez will have plenty of cash to spend, with moves for Liverpool's forgotten striker Danny Ings and Manchester United's injury-hit left-back Luke Shaw.
The Toon boss has been handed an initial £20m in order to ensure they avoid relegation with just one point separating them from the drop zone.

Barca set backup plan if Coutinho move fails

Barcelona will move for Mesut Ozil and Gremio starlet Arthur next month if they are unable to find progress in a deal for Philippe Coutinho, according to Catalan newspapers Mundo Deportivo and Sport.
The Brazilian was a prime target last summer but Liverpool rebuffed all their attempts, though Ernesto Valverde still craves help in midfield.
Arsenal appear unlikely to persuade their Germany international to remain beyond his current contract, which ends next summer, meaning Barca will move for the 29-year-old if a deal is not finalised for Coutinho by the end of this month.
Brazilian starlet Arthur recently won the Copa Libertadores with the Imortal Tricolor, and they are demanding the 21-year-old's full £45m release clause.

Tap-ins

- Barca are also following Lazio star Luis Alberto, according to Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Spaniard is in line to make the Spain squad for the World Cup and after such a fine run of form for the Biancocelesti, a move back to the Camp Nou -- where he played on loan with the B team in 2012 -- could now materialise.
- David Moyes will fight it out with Celtic to sign Reading's Liam Moore, with the Mirror claiming the Hammers scouted the defender this week against Cardiff.
- Bournemouth have put a £15m price tag on Benik Afobe, according to the Sun, with the Cherries eyeing a profit on the striker they bought from Wolves for £10m.
West Brom and Wolves are keen with Eddie Howe unable to offer the 22-year-old a regular run of starts.
- Bristol City will launch a £1m bid for Everton prospect Liam Walsh with the 20-year-old midfielder lined up to boost their promotion push, claims the Sun.