Thomas Tuchel's already spoken to dream £36m Chelsea signing amid late Liverpool transfer boost

Chelsea has been handed another major boost towards finally signing Leeds United winger Raphinha as the January transfer deadline day dominoes begin to fall.

According to Italian transfer specialist Thomas Tuchel's side joined Liverpool in the race to secure the 25-year-old's signature amid growing speculation that Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech could be allowed to leave west London this month Gianluigi Longari in late December.

The Blues' strike force has struggled to reach the heights that they were tipped for, scoring just 22 of Chelsea's 48 goals in the Premier League so far this season.

Chelsea's lack of goals from attacking players has invited unnecessary pressure onto the rest of the squad and, while the likes of Reece James has stepped up, the interest in Raphinha marks Tuchel's desire to open the flood gates upfront.

Sport Italia reported that the west Londoners were working on a deal that brings the Brazilian amid competition from Liverpool in the summer.

The story arose two weeks after the Blues boss was recorded while chatting with Raphinha following Chelsea's 3-2 win over Leeds at Stamford Bridge.

However, Jurgen Klopp's side has since retracted their interest in the former Rennes ace following the late double signings of Luis Diaz and Fabio Carvalho despite the locking of horns.

Liverpool has already confirmed the former's arrival from Porto in a deal worth around just £50m, including add-ons, and now look set to welcome the latter to Merseyside too before the window slams shut, according to Fabrizio Romano.

By Klopp easing his interest in Tuchel's target, Chelsea is naturally handed a boost in the running to sign Raphinha, who has been a shining light at Elland Road despite an objectively disappointing