In: Burak Yilmaz (Galatasaray)
The player in question could be Galatasaray hit-man Burak Yilmaz, who has reportedly become one of Chelsea’s top targets this January and who could be an ideal direct replacement for Ba if a swap deal can be agreed between the two clubs and the players.
Yilmaz was in superb form in front of goal last season, scoring 32 times in 39 games in all competitions and finishing as the top scorer in the Champions League with 8 goals, level only with Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. This saw the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Lazio all in for him during the summer, though in the end a proposed move to Serie A fell through late on, meaning he is available again for transfer this January.
Galatasaray have admitted they won’t stand in his way if he chooses to leave for a bigger club, and Chelsea would be wise to take the opportunity to snap up the prolific Turkish international, who would surely be an improvement on their current misfiring strikers.