Chelsea are willing to let Ruben Loftus-Cheek out on loan but want him to play regular football.

The league leaders would also prefer for the 20-year-old to play at a Premier League rival to gain greater experience.

So far, Chelsea have fielded more than 10 enquiries for the England U21 international midfielder with Championship clubs such as Newcastle United at the fore.

Chelsea are keen to let Ruben Loftus-Cheek leave on loan as they look to aid his development

The Blues would prefer to let Loftus-Cheek go out on loan to a rival in the Premier League

Newcastle want a striker, left-sided midfielder and a creative midfielder for January as they look to push on and claim promotion.

Rafa Benitez has an interest in Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson but the deal may prove too difficult to achieve next month.

Chelsea, meanwhile, sent scouts to watch Bayer Leverkusen at Cologne last week with attacking midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu a player under scrutiny. Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United and Everton were also represented at the game with Leverkusen's 20-year-old German international Julian Brandt also of interest.

Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu has been watched by Chelsea this month

Mario Balotelli has held discussions over a potential return to England but it is not necessarily his priority.

The 26-year-old is a free agent in the summer and is free to talk to clubs now. He is enjoying a renaissance with Nice in France though it is still not without the occasional blip as he proved last week when he was sent off against Bordeaux.

Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola has said a return to Italy would not be a good move and believes the Premier League would provide the best stage for the colourful striker though he added: 'Mario is an outstanding talent to have on a free transfer and would be fantastic in the Premier League. He has many options and England is one of them but it is not necessarily his priority. We remain open.'

Everton were among the clubs to discuss a move for Balotelli last summer and will likely be approached again. Raiola has a good relationship with Everton but Ronald Koeman has reservations about gambling on the Italian.

Nice star Mario Balotelli has held discussions over a potential return to England next summer

The 26-year-old striker is a free agent in the summer and is free to talk to clubs now

Sam Allardyce is considering a move for Sunderland centre back Lamine Kone as he prioritises improving his defence.

Kone proved a key signing for Allardyce last January when he brought him over from Lorient and the Senegal powerhouse had an immediate impact on Sunderland's relegation fight.

Sunderland need all capable hands on deck as they face a similar battle this season but with no transfer funds and or wages to play with David Moyes recognises he needs to make sacrifices to strengthen his squad elsewhere.

Sunderland's Lamine Kone (right) is wanted by his old boss Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace

Though there is interest from West Ham in Jermain Defoe, Moyes does not want to lose the 34-year-old striker but Kone is a player he may risk losing if he can find a defender to replace him in January.

Kone will be at the Africa Cup of Nations next month and that has deterred some suitors but he would be interested in a move to London and to link up again with Allardyce.

Everton failed in a bid to sign Kone in the summer and have cooled their interest somewhat this time round as Sunderland seek £15m to £18m and they weigh up other options. West Ham also hold an interest but won't pay the valuation.

Sunderland have checked on Ipswich Town defender Adam Webster in recent weeks but are looking at alternative options also.

Allardyce is looking to strengthen his defence as Palace bid to avoid relegation

Stoke City and Everton are monitoring developments with Manolo Gabbiadini at Napoli after the Italian club intimated they were ready to let him go.

The Premier League duo are keen on West Bromwich Albion's Saido Berahino but have both enquired about Gabbiadini in recent months too as have West Ham and Crystal Palace.

Napoli have been asking £22m for the 25-year-old striker but may lower their price after president Aurelio De Laurentiis admitted he is not suited to coach Maurizio Sarri’s football.

Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini has attracted interest from Stoke City and Everton

De Laurentiis has signed another forward Leonardo Pavoletti from Genoa for £12m and he is due to have a medical on Wednesday.

Talking to Radio Kiss Kiss about Gabbiadini, the president said: 'It’s not that he wasn’t able to express himself, but rather different things are asked of him and they are not in his wheelhouse. Gabbiadini scored many goals at Sampdoria and also here under Rafa Benitez, so with a system other than the one Sarri uses he should have a better chance of being decisive.

'I thought that his performance in the first season was due to physical issues, but that wasn’t the case. He is simply not suited to Sarri’s football.

'Something that doesn’t fit cannot be made to fit, like an out of key note in a harmony. Sarri cannot lose points to help one player improve.'

Everton offered £18m in the summer for Gabbiadini while Wolfsburg have also expressed keen interest. Should he depart Napoli next month, Gabbiadini signed off in perfect style scoring a last-gasp penalty as Napoli held Fiorentina to a 3-3 draw last Thursday.

The Italian giants have been asking for £22m to sell Gabbiadini but may now lower their price

Fulham are monitoring Rangers defender Rob Kiernan.

The 25-year-old has been playing well in the Scottish Premiership and is a name being considered by Slavisa Jokanovic as he looks to add a defender in the January window. Jokanovic also wants a striker, winger and midfielder to bolster his push for promotion.

Former Republic of Ireland U21 international Kiernan has made 21 appearances this season and is contracted until 2018. He would likely cost around £2m.

Fulham, meanwhile, have told 22-year-old striker Cauley Woodrow he can leave in January.