Chelsea will bid for Valencia striker David Villa in January – if they can overturn the FIFA ban on signing players, according to a report in the News of the World this morning.

Rob Shepherd writes: "Chelsea are ready to make a £25million move for Spain international David Villa in the January transfer window. The Blues are appealing against a FIFA ban on signing players for allegedly breaching rules."

Shepherd adds: "Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou will all be missing for up to five weeks after Christmas because of the the African Nations Cup. Boss Carlo Ancelotti knows he will be short up front and that is why Villa, 27, has now become his No 1 target, especially as Valencia have made it clear they are now ready to sell their star player."

Valencia director Fernando Gomez admitted last week that the Spanish side would have to offload players in January due to increasing debt. It was also reported that David Villa had sacked his agent after failing to secure a summer move away from the Mestalla.

Villa, 27, has scored nine goals in 11 appearances in 2009/2010 – the Spanish striker is contracted to Valencia until the end of 2012/2013.