Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Roundup of Blues' Summer Targets

Chelsea assured themselves of a Champions League berth by outlasting their Premier League rivals and finishing third in the 2012-13 table, while also showing promise in Europa League clashes throughout Rafa Benitez's tenure. 

It's summer transfer time at Stamford Bridge, though, and the Blues have been like every other prominent English club through the first part of the window—active in news and rumours pieces alike. 

The biggest transfer situation that the club is being linked to during this time is about Real Madrid manager and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who is expected to rejoin his former side in the coming days after months of speculation about a move and Benitez's eventual exit. 

Chelsea, though, refuse to comment on rumours that he's signed a new contract with the Blues for next season, as this tweet by Fox Sports confirmed on Friday:

While the situation on the sideline is sorted out over the next few days, Chelsea will still continue to be active in pursuit of help for their side next year. As this team of The Guardian reporters pointed out in a Friday morning preview of what each club is looking for, Chelsea are in the market for a new striker, midfield help and depth on defense. 

That in mind, here's a look at the latest roundup of transfer news surrounding Chelsea. 

Gareth Bale

Bale has been linked with several different Premier League clubs in recent weeks, including Manchester United and Manchester City to go along with interest from Paris Saint-Germain. 

Chelsea are also in the mix for his services, per this Mirror report from John Cross, who claims that Real Madrid are also near the mix despite falling short of Tottenham's asking price of £80 million. 

As mentioned above, Chelsea are in the market for a striker during the summer transfer window, and there are few better than Bale—even if he will demand one of the heftiest price tags of any player linked to a move in EPL play so far. 

Bale broke the 20-goal mark in 34 EPL games this season, and he would be a welcome addition to the Blues' attack with Champions League play now in sight and Mourinho needing some firepower on his front line. It won't come easy, though, and a hefty price for Bale could limit Chelsea's other options in the transfer period. 

Hulk

Jamie Sanderson of Metro Sports had the report that the Zenit Saint Petersburg forward has been approached by two EPL teams—Tottenham and Chelsea—about an exit from his Russian side. 

Hulk's agent confirmed that the Premier League is hot on his client's tail, noting that the Tottenham rumours make sense because of Hulk's Andre Villas-Boas and Porto connections to the Spurs' current setup. 

Per Sanderson, Zenit is looking at no less that a £40 million deal for the 26-year-old. 

Midfield is a concern for Chelsea on the attacking side of the ball, too, and Hulk is a powerful forward who would fit what Mourinho wants to accomplish during his first season back with the club that made him "The Special One". 

Hulk had 13 goals in all competitions (26 games) during the 2012-13 season, and Chelsea might use a move of this nature to shore up the middle part of the lineup while exploring other options at striker and in the backfield. 

Andre Schurrle

One such move would be for Andre Schurrle, who Sky Sports reported is inching closer to a deal with Chelsea after a few weeks of interest from both sides. 

In a corresponding agreement, Kevin de Bruyne is expected to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan for the upcoming season. 

Schurrle had 11 goals for Bayer in Bundesliga play last season, and he added two more in the Europa League—a competition that Chelsea ended up taking home in their final European competition appearance of the year. 

Schurrle is playing for the German national team in preparation for the 2014 World Cup right now. But according to Sky Sports, he will fly to England in the next few days to finalize his deal with the Blues for the upcoming season, expected to be a £20 million move. 

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One final tidbit that is more rumour than news: Mourinho is said to be interested in Porto defender Ellaquim Mangala, a move that could cost the Blues somewhere near £30 million if it is completed in the next few days. 

A report from talkSPORT helped spike that Chelsea and Mourinho are willing to go all-in on the young Porto star if the price is right, since the current offer is double what Chelsea originally started negotiations with. 

The move would figure to be a bit pricey if the Blues complete deals for some of their other targets, but with a new manager and a Champions League title to win, the pocketbooks may very well be deep at Stamford Bridge for the remainder of the transfer window. 

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