JANUARY SALES ... Roman Abramovich
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH is ready to splash up to £55million in the New Year to re-ignite Chelsea's push for glory.
Top of the Russian billionaire's January wish-list are Atletico Madrid's £40m-rated striker Sergio Aguero and in-demand defensive midfielder Jerko Leko of Monaco.
But the mega-rich Chelsea owner insists he will not be held to ransom despite the Blues' wobbling form and the threat of a transfer ban until 2011.
So he has drawn up a list of back-up options which include Ajax's Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, Roma's World Cup winner Daniele De Rossi and Everton starlet Jack Rodwell.
A Chelsea source said: "Abramovich has drawn up a list of options for the New Year.
Atletico are asking silly money. If they don't get real Roman will switch to Suarez and try to do a deal with Ajax instead.
"It's not just strikers, though. Jerko is the one they are looking at to come in as a defensive midfielder, although De Rossi and Rodwell are also on the radar.
"So it should be a busy time because the desire is there, the money is there, the options are there."
Abramovich is ready to dig deep after becoming alarmed at Chelsea's form.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has managed just one win in his last six games.
And they are about to lose star hitman Didier Drogba, his strike partner Salomon Kalou and midfielder John Obi Mikel, who head off for the Africa Nations Cup next month.
Key midfielder Michael Essien is also out injured.
Another incentive to buy big is the pending appeal against a lengthy transfer ban handed down after their controversial signing of teenager Gael Kakuta from French club Lens.
Top of the Russian billionaire's January wish-list are Atletico Madrid's £40m-rated striker Sergio Aguero and in-demand defensive midfielder Jerko Leko of Monaco.
But the mega-rich Chelsea owner insists he will not be held to ransom despite the Blues' wobbling form and the threat of a transfer ban until 2011.
So he has drawn up a list of back-up options which include Ajax's Uruguay forward Luis Suarez, Roma's World Cup winner Daniele De Rossi and Everton starlet Jack Rodwell.
A Chelsea source said: "Abramovich has drawn up a list of options for the New Year.
Atletico are asking silly money. If they don't get real Roman will switch to Suarez and try to do a deal with Ajax instead.
"It's not just strikers, though. Jerko is the one they are looking at to come in as a defensive midfielder, although De Rossi and Rodwell are also on the radar.
"So it should be a busy time because the desire is there, the money is there, the options are there."
Abramovich is ready to dig deep after becoming alarmed at Chelsea's form.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has managed just one win in his last six games.
And they are about to lose star hitman Didier Drogba, his strike partner Salomon Kalou and midfielder John Obi Mikel, who head off for the Africa Nations Cup next month.
Key midfielder Michael Essien is also out injured.
Another incentive to buy big is the pending appeal against a lengthy transfer ban handed down after their controversial signing of teenager Gael Kakuta from French club Lens.
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