Chelsea are planning to add Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas to their ranks before the January transfer window closes.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season in the Spanish second-tier last campaign, scoring 23 goals from 35 appearances to help the Galicia-based club earn promotion to La Liga. The forward has continued his good form this season, notching eight goals and three assists in 19 games in the top flight.

Iago Aspas
Reuters

According to Marca, the Blues have been impressed by Aspas and are now prepared to meet his €10m [£8.3m] release clause to snap him up this month. The report claims the player is willing to make a switch to the Premier League, though Celta are desperate to keep their talisman in their fight for survival in La Liga.

Aspas' agent told the Daily Mirror: "Celta are not willing to negotiate over Aspas' price, so any buying club would have to meet his €10m release clause."

Chelsea's interest in Aspas is understood to have increased after the club's failure to sign top target and Brazilian forward Taison. The 25-year-old was close to joining the Blues from Metalist Kharkiv but Shakhtar Donetsk hijacked the deal and kept the player in Ukraine, after triggering his £12.4m release clause.

Taison
shakhtar.com

"I am happy to play for such a great club. I played a lot against Shakhtar and I have a lot of information about them. I know Shakhtar's Brazilians. I really want to help the club win new titles. I'll train and work, respecting everyone who plays for the club. In the first place I have respect for all. Of course, I will try to play as best I can," Taison told the club's website.

When asked if the transfer to Shakhtar was the right choice, Taison, who signed a five-year deal with the Ukrainian champions, replied: "Yes, it was the right choice, despite the fact that I was happy at Metalist, with whom I achieved a lot. I want to again thank the entire team, coaches, staff of the Kharkiv club. But having joined Shakhtar, I understand what this club is all about."