Chelsea keen on signing Monaco's Thomas Lemar and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley in January

Chelsea will aim to sign both Monaco winger Thomas Lemar and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley as manager Antonio Conte targets two signings during the January transfer window.

The Blues are 14 points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City and three behind second place Manchester United, but are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and the Champions League last 16.

But with their title defence all-but over Conte feels new additions are needed to help both secure a trophy this term and cement a Champions League place for next season.

The Italian has regularly complained over his lack of freedom in the transfer market and says the Chelsea board will make the final decision over signings next month.

According to The Evening Standard Conte wants at least two new players in the New Year and has included Lemar and Barkley on his wishlist.

Lemar has been linked with Chelsea ever-since his deadline day move to Arsenal collapsed in the summer. Liverpool are also an interested party in the France international who is valued at £90m [The Independent].

January also represents the latest opportunity for Chelsea to complete a belated deal for Barkley, who withdrew from a £35m move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

The 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer and should Everton have any ambition of recouping a fee for Barkley they must allow him to leave in January or risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season.

Barkley has not played this season after undergoing surgery in August on a hamstring injury and pulled out of a move to Chelsea to allow him to consider his future when he is fully fit.

New Everton boss Sam Allardyce believes the club should look to offload Barkley next month if he indeed makes it clear he has no interest in remaining at Goodison Park.

"If Ross isn't interested in staying at Everton, and I don't know whether he is or he isn't at the moment, then it would be sensible to consider whatever offers there are in January," he stated. "But at this moment we're speculating because there is no offer on the table to consider."

But former Chelsea caretake boss Ray Wilkins has warned Barkley against a move to west London and feels he would be better off remaining on Merseyside. Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked with the ex-Barnsley loanee.

"I don't see it as a fit," he told BBC Radio Five Live, according to Sport Review. "I want to see Ross Barkley playing for Sam Allardyce."

One player who will not be moving to the Premier League champions in January is Bayer Leverkusen star Leon Bailey. The Jamaica-born 20-year-old has impressed in the Bundesliga this term but sporting director Rudi Voller has no intention of allowing him to depart. "We have proven many times that we can say 'no'," he explained. "We are very relaxed."