Ranieri draws up Chelsea hit list

Chelsea have drawn up a hit list of transfer targets for next season after banking £24 million from their sponsorship deal with Emirates airline.

The club identified the players needed to continue manager Claudio Ranieri's Stamford Bridge revolution at a board meeting two days ago.

Ranieri has provided the club with a list of players he believes Chelsea need if they are to have a chance of success next season. The majority will come from the continent.

Chairman Ken Bates said: "The players that we want for next season have already been identified but how many quality English players are there? How many of them are available?"

Middlesbrough's Gianluca Festa is believed to be the main choice along with Liverpool's Robbie Fowler, West Ham's Frederic Kanoute and Trevor Sinclair plus Manchester United's Andy Cole.

Ranieri is also set to continue his clearout with Frank Leboeuf certain to join Monaco shortly and doubts over the futures of goal-keeper Ed De Goey and defender Marcel Desailly.

Managing director Colin Hutchinson said: "This sponsorship deal will help us to continue to compete at the highest level."

Meanwhile, Jesper Gronkjaer is fit to face Gillingham in Sunday's fourth round FA Cup clash at Priestfield. The Danish international was doubtful after taking a knock in a reserve clash with Spurs earlier this week.