Chelsea lead race to sign £7m Ba as transfer window opens Chelsea, who have told Frank Lampard he is free to leave, also remain interested in Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle and have also held talks over signing Real's Gonzalo Higuain but, again, that deal is complicated while the terms to acquire Ba are simple: £7m to release him from his contract, for which he receives £2.5m, plus around £2m in fees to his agent and wages of £70,000-a-week for the striker. Ba would struggle to pass a medical, because of his chronic knee problems, but they have not prevented him from playing and scoring regularly for Newcastle - he now has 13 Premier League goals this season in a team which has been struggling. His acquisition would also relieve the burden on Fernando Torres while, at the same time, not putting too much pressure on the striker because Ba would not constitute a big-name signing. Chelsea would also recoup the outlay on a proven goal-scorer because they are selling Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool for £12m. Arsene Wenger appeared to rule out a move for Ba in January but that public statement probably had much to do with the fact that Arsenal played Newcastle United last night. He remains interested. Spurs also registered their interest. They have explored the possibility of signing Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Llorente but have been told he will move elsewhere. Chelsea are being offered a number of players including Seville's Alvaro Negredo who is understood to be available for £16m. Chelsea hope to also push ahead with the signing of Metalist Kharkiv's attacking midfielder Taison for up to £10m although there are concerns as to whether the 24-year-old Brazilian will be granted a work permit. Yossi Benayoun is returning to Chelsea after his loan spell to West Ham United was cut short because of his injury problems. Benayoun will reunite with Rafael Benitez who signed him for Liverpool.