Chelsea Transfer Rumour: Abramovich Plots Striker Swap

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly decided to allow Fernando Torres leave Stamford Bridge, in order to sign long-time target Radamel Falcao from Atletico Madrid.

The Daily Mail reports the Russian businessman has finally accepted his sensational £50m move for the Spanish international has not paid off and the former Liverpool forward may now return to the Vicente Calderon, as part of a player-plus-cash deal for the Colombian Falcao.

Torres has managed just 19 goals from 85 appearances for the west London outfit since joining them in January 2011. Meanwhile, Falcao has netted 67 times from 71 matches for Portuguese club FC Porto and Atletico during the same period.

Reports suggest there is a £48m release clause in Falcao's contract with the La Liga club and the Spanish side's dire financial situation means president Enrique Cerezo could be willing to cash in on his star in January, or at least by the end of the season.

Roberto Di Matteo's side have been heavily linked with a January move for Falcao, who has already netted 10 times for his club this season. Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit recently urged the Blues to part with Torres and replace him with Falcao.

In addition, the player himself has fuelled the speculation by stating he has been impressed by the Blues' ambition. The 26-year-old has also been linked with Manchester City and Real Madrid in recent months.

Chelsea Put Poppy Shirts on Sale for Charity

Meanwhile, the Stamford Bridge club's first team has put their special edition poppy shirts on sale, to help raise money for charity.

All 20 teams in the English top flight commemorated Remembrance Sunday last week by wearing jerseys embroidered with the traditional poppy symbol. And the Blues' players have signed their shirts and placed them on auction Web site eBay, in an effort to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

The decision comes just 24 hours after Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay urged the club to improve its image after the recent race rows. The auction is to run for three days more (to bid on a shirt, click here) and, so far, the most popular shirt is that of club captain John Terry, with a bid in excess of £5,000 lodged. The money raised from these auctions will be spent on direct, practical care and support for military families.