Friday's Chelsea transfer talk news roundup: Danny Ings, Erling Braut Haaland, Jonas Hofmann

The January transfer window has now closed, leaving Chelsea to begin looking forward to the summer for their next round of recruitment.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news on possible comings and goings from Stamford Bridge.

Friday morning's Chelsea transfer talk news roundup:

Erling Braut Haaland says Real Madrid transfer links are "nice"

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Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland said that it is "nice" to be linked with Real Madrid when asked how it felt to be wanted by the Spanish club's supporters.

The 20-year-old is enjoying another remarkable campaign for BVB, finding the back of the net on 25 occasions in 24 appearances in all competitions, including eight goals in five Champions League outings.

The Norway international scored a brace in Dortmund's 3-2 win over Sevilla in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash on Wednesday night.

Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Manchester United have all been strongly linked with the striker, while Madrid are also said to be determined to bring him to the Bernabeu.

"It's always nice if someone wants you," Haaland told reporters when asked how he felt about the Spanish side's supporters calling for him to arrive in Madrid.

Haaland is unlikely to be allowed to leave Signal Iduna Park during this summer's transfer window, but a £68m release clause in his contract can be activated at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Chelsea consider Southampton's Danny Ings as Erling Braut Haaland alternative?

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Chelsea could reportedly turn their attention to Southampton's Danny Ings as an alternative to Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland.

Haaland's next career move continues to be the subject of much debate after his brace in the Champions League against Sevilla, with Real Madrid and Manchester City both heavily linked with a swoop.

The Norway international could be available for £66m in 2022 due to a release clause in his contract, but with the prospect of a bidding war for his services taking place this summer, Chelsea have supposedly lined up another frontman to add to their ranks.

According to football.london, Thomas Tuchel's search for a new striker could lead the Blues to consider Southampton's star man Ings, whose future is also up in the air.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has remained optimistic that Ings will extend his stay at St Mary's beyond 2022, but the prospect of playing Champions League football with Chelsea could tempt the 28-year-old - also linked with Man City - into a move to the capital.

Despite suffering from his fair share of injury woes this term, Ings has struck eight times and provided three assists in 18 Premier League appearances.

More transfer news from Chelsea:

Chelsea 'keeping tabs on Borussia Monchengladbach's Jonas Hofmann'
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is keen to reunite with Borussia Monchengladbach winger Jonas Hofmann at Stamford Bridge, according to a report. Read more.

Report: Barcelona to battle Chelsea for Paris Saint-Germain teen Kays Ruiz-Atil
Paris Saint-Germain youngster Kays Ruiz-Atil is reportedly wanted by Chelsea and Barcelona ahead of becoming a free agent in June. Read more.

Real Madrid 'to keep Martin Odegaard in bid to lure Erling Braut Haaland'
Real Madrid want to keep hold of Martin Odegaard as they believe that the midfielder could play a role in convincing Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland to join the club. Read more.

Manchester United, Liverpool 'contact Declan Rice's agent to register their interest'
Manchester United and Liverpool contact the agent of Declan Rice to discuss the West Ham United midfielder, according to a report. Read more.