Chelsea Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of July 15

So, Jose Mourinho has returned to Chelsea and, as per the club's announcement in mid-June, was shortly followed by German international Andre Schurrle and more recently Marco van Ginkel. Former Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has also joined their ranks on a free transfer.

The Blues' summer transfer dealings aren't done there. The Londoners haven't won the Premier League title since 2010, and with their Portuguese manager back at the club he proclaims to love the most, we can expect more comings and goings ahead of the new season kicking off on August 17.

But who will be arriving and who will bidding farewell to Stamford Bridge? This summer has already seen David Luiz linked with a move to Barcelona, via Daily Mail, while rumors have surrounded the potential arrival of Edinson Cavani for £53 million, as per The Guardian.

We gave warning of it in May, and now "silly season" is well and truly here in the Premier League. Sit tight as Bleacher Report keeps you up to date throughout the week with all the latest Chelsea news and gossip.

Last update: July 19

Rooney Going Nowhere According to Manchester United

Jose Mourinho said this week that Wayne Rooney was Chelsea's only transfer target remaining this summer (refer to Slide 4) and if the rumor mill is anything to go by, it seems the Portuguese may have been telling the truth as opposed to covering up the Blues's transfer dealings.

It may have gone quiet where other players are concerned for the Blues, but Chelsea and their pursuit of Rooney is still very much making the headlines.

David Moyes has reiterated that he expects Rooney to remain at Old Trafford next season. The United manager explained "The club's position has not changed," when asked at a press conference in Sydney, reported by BBC Sport.

The Mirror is reporting that, even if a transfer request is forthcoming from Rooney, United will deny him a move. The report also adds that Chelsea and the Red Devils have agreed their players will not discuss the potential transfer in the media.

The move comes after the likes of Eden Hazard (via ESPN.co.uk) and Rio Ferdinand (via Daily Mail) have been quoted in recent weeks.

Elsewhere, The Independent says United and Rooney are heading for clear-the-air talks and that the club is baffled by his stance of wanting to leave for pastures new.

Were Rooney to join the Blues, however, he could become the club's highest paid player according to the Evening Standard.

Chelsea would be risking the wrath of their senior stars, however, as Rooney's salary is expected to break the £200,000-a-week barrier, which is considerably more than any of his potential new teammates currently earn.

Mata Linked with Arsenal Switch

Only this week he was mentioned as being a potential part of Chelsea's deal to bring Wayne Rooney to Stamford Bridge (refer to Slide 4) and now Juan Mata has Arsenal on his tail.

According to the Daily Mail, the Gunners have renewed their interest in Chelsea's Spanish maestro having missed out on signing him from the Valencia in 2011.

Mata joined Chelsea instead that summer and has since been voted the club's Player of the Season in each of his two Premier League campaigns.

Chelsea Ready to Scupper Arsenal's Higuain Bid?

According to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis (via ESPN.co.uk), Chelsea are ready to bid for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

The Argentine played under Jose Mourinho for three seasons at the Bernabeu and according to De Laurentiis, Mourinho is interested in being re-untied with him.

"As well as Arsenal, Chelsea are now also interested," he reportedly said.

Higuain has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summer and at one stage he seemed set to sign on the dotted line (via The Mirror).

The proposed transfer has been held up, however, with Real's £35 million valuation of the player appearing a major stumbling block according to The Sun.

With Chelsea's move for Rooney stalling (Slide 1), could Higuain now be the answer?

"It's Rooney or Bust," Says Mourinho

OK, brace yourself as this could take a while.

So, Wednesday July 17 started with reports of Wayne Rooney being "angry and confused" with Manchester United and The Independent suggested he was preparing to hand in a transfer request to leave the club.

It was a story that certainly seemed to have grounds, too, with BBC Sport and Daily Star among others reporting on his apparent frustration with life at Old Trafford.

Then came the twist with Manchester United confirming Chelsea had tabled a bid for the Englishman—a bid that reportedly came with £10 million and either Juan Mata or David Luiz in exchange for Rooney.

Eurosport Yahoo! suggested the news was broken at an unofficial briefing from United to the media and it later forced Chelsea's hand to admit a bid had indeed been placed.

Jose Mourinho later confirmed at his press conference following a 1-0 victory over Singha All-Stars in Bangkok: "We want the player. Now it's up to Manchester United."

Mourinho added: "I think that this situation is clear - nothing is a secret any more.

"The official bid is just about a certain amount of money and doesn't involve players. We made the bid and now we have nothing more to say."

Asked if it is Rooney or bust, he replied: "Yes."

Manchester United maintain Rooney will not be leaving, but either way, this is only the beginning of what promises to be an interesting few weeks ahead.

*Mourinho quotes taken from BBC Sport

Cavani Seals PSG Transfer, but Ibrahimovic Could Leave

Chelsea's reported transfer target Edinson Cavani has joined Paris Saint-Germain, being unveiled by the club on Tuesday July 16.

It had been reported this summer by a host of outlets, including Sky Sports, the Daily Mail and The Independent, that Cavani was being chased by the Blues, but the Uruguayan has opted for Paris over London.

The Guardian reports the deal bringing Cavani to Ligue 1 has broken the French transfer record, with PSG paying £55 million for his services.

In a rather romantic version of events, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said: "The player, seduced by our project, is pleased to join an ambitious club and eager to take on new challenges. We are particularly pleased to offer the Parisian public a player of immense talent and one who is coveted everywhere."

The deal taking Cavani to Paris could spell the end for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, though, and Chelsea are reportedly interested in capitalizing on a rumored falling out between the Swede and the club.

The Daily Star suggests Chelsea and Manchester City are chasing his signature.

*Quotes taken The Guardian

With Mikel Expected to Leave, Blues Eye Luis Gustavo

For all the marquee names being associated with Chelsea right now (refer to any of the slides on this tracker), Jose Mourinho it would seem hasn't got caught up in the glitz and glamor of it all.

talkSPORT is reporting the Portuguese is lining up a bid for Bayern Munich's Luis Gustavo, with John Mikel obi expected to be leaving Chelsea this summer.

If it were to come off, it's hardly the glamor signing many Blues fans would be hoping for, but it shows Mourinho is still very much thinking about his team's dynamic.

PSG Eyeing Up Ivanovic for £8 Million

Earlier this month the Daily Star reported Paris Saint-Germain were interested in Chelsea defender David Luiz.

The rumor mill has gone quiet on that front, but it seems the French champions haven’t forgotten about the Blues with reports circulating on July 15 that Laurent Blanc is interested in taking Branislav Ivanovic to the French capital.

The Mirror suggests an £8 million bid is set to be put to the Blues as PSG chase a replacement for Inter Milan-bound Gregory van der Wiel and Ivanovic is very much their man.

Blues Rooney Transfer to Be Delayed by 12 Months?

Chelsea will have to wait until 2014 if they’re to sign Wayne Rooney.

The Times (access via a paywall) reported on July 15 that the Red Devils are willing to discuss the unsettled striker’s future, but not until 12 months time.

News of United's proposed delay could spell the end of the Blues’ interest in the striker as they are eager to strengthen their striking options in this transfer window.

Rooney has been earmarked as a potential target and has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer (via Daily Mail).

Only last week Jose Mourinho spoke of his admiration for the Englishman (as per The Guardian), but David Moyes has denied that No. 10 will be departing Old Trafford (as per BBC Sport).

It could prove a frustrating 12 months for the England international, too, after The Guardian also reported on July 15 that he has been informed he will be backup to Robin van Persie in the Untied pecking order.

Mourinho Hopes for Drogba Chelsea Return

According to the Sunday Mirror, Didier Drogba could be returning to Chelsea.

Whether that's this summer or next remains to be seen, but Jose Mourinho is reportedly eager to be reunited with the Ivorian.

Drogba is currently plying his trade in Turkey with Galatasaray, but the Mirror's report says he met with Mourinho at Chelsea's Cobham training facility last week before the Blues headed off to the Far East for their preseason tour.

It's not clear what was discussed and whether Drogba would be signed as a player or coach, but with one year left on his contract with Galatasaray, Chelsea will have to table a bid for him or wait until he has served the remaining 12 months of the deal he signed in January.

The report quotes Mourinho as saying: “I can use Didier as a profile to persuade youngsters to follow me because he followed me from day one.”

Drogba joined Chelsea from Marseille in 2004, winning the Premier League three times. He scored the winning penalty to lift the Champions League in 2012, his last kick of a ball in Chelsea colors.