CHELSEA are lining up a January bid for Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz and plan to offer Demba Ba in part exchange.

Reports in Turkey suggest that Jose Mourinho will move for Yilmaz after seeing the player almost join Lazio during the last transfer window.

Yilmaz was also linked with a move to Arsenal or Liverpool during the offseason, but ultimately ended up staying with Galatasary.

But according to Eurosport Turkey, Mourinho is a long-term admirer of Yilmaz and is ready to sacrifice Ba in a bid to get his man.

Mourinho was dissuaded from bidding for the 28-year-old striker during the summer because he was told that he would cost £20m, but that fee could drop somewhat should Ba be included in any deal.

Yilmaz scored 32 goals in 39 appearances for Galatasaray last season and Mourinho praised the player ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final clash against the Turkish side, saying: "Drogba, Sneijder and Burak [Yilmaz] could play for any team in the world."

Meanwhile, Ba has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea and was linked to Arsenal, West Ham, Newcastle and Roma as the transfer window drew to a close.

With playing time still difficult to come by it is thought that Ba would be open to the idea of a move to Turkey to link up with new Galatasaray coach Roberto Mancini.

Source: Daily Express