Chelsea FC have turned their attention to Burnley striker Ashley Barnes in their desperate search for a target man in the January transfer window, according to reports in England.

Sky Sports is reporting that the defending Premier League champions are interested in signing the Burnley forward in what would be one of the big shocks of the current transfer market.

The same article states that the Blues have “expressed” an interest in the former Austria Under-20 international despite his lack of experience playing at a top club.

Crucially, the same story reveals that Burnley still haven’t received any contact from the Premier League title holders in the

Chelsea have been linked with a litany of proven Premier League strikers over the past few weeks, including West Ham’s Andy Carroll and Stoke City veteran Peter Crouch.

Barnes has only scored an underwhelming 17 goals in 114 league appearances for Burnley over the past five seasons at Turf Moor.

The 28-year-old has proven a key player in Burnley’s impressive Premier League campaign so far following three goals in eight starts and 15 appearances in the Premier League this term.

Chelsea signed Ross Barkley in a £15m deal from Premier League rivals Everton earlier in the January transfer window.

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