Summer Transfer Rumors Chelsea Fans Still Want to Come True

Although the rumors have never quite gone away, it's been a relatively quiet summer on the transfer front where Chelsea are concerned.

Andre Schurrle and Marco van Ginkel have arrived at Stamford Bridge for a combined sum of around £28 million, while goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was a free signing.

Other than various players being released, however—including Florent Malouda and Ross Turnbull—the Blues' activity has been somewhat subdued.

If transfer reports from the world's media are to be believed, Chelsea have missed out on the signings of Edinson Cavani, per The Express, Radamel Falcao, according to The Mirror and Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski, per The Evening Standard, although they do have their eyes set on a number of other talents.

With just under a month remaining before the transfer window closes, Bleacher Report takes a look at some of the rumors Chelsea fans will be hoping come true before the summer is out.

Daniele De Rossi

As you will discover, Chelsea and defensive midfielders are a theme of this report, with the position a key area the Blues need to strengthen.

Daniele De Rossi has been one of the many men famed for their talents in front of the back four to be linked with Chelsea, with reports in Daily Star and Metro in July suggesting a move was imminent.

It's all gone quiet of late, but Chelsea fans will be hopeful a move for the 29-year-old remains on the club's agenda.

The Roma star has been among the best defensive midfielders in Europe for many a year and the general view is that by adding him to the Blues' current starting XI, he could be the missing piece that allows them to build on last season when they lifted the Europa League trophy and finished third in the Premier League.

Not only that, at 29 the Italian adds plenty of experience to what is a young-looking squad at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have worked hard in recent years to reduce the average age of the playing staff, but outside of old heads Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole, they're short of experience in the outfield positions.

Chelsea fans are desperate for a world-class defensive midfielder to be brought in and De Rossi certainly fits the bill.

John Obi Mikel

Similar to news surrounding Daniele De Rossi's proposed transfer to Chelsea (see Slide 1), rumors of John Obi Mikel departing Stamford Bridge have all but disappeared recently, much to the disappointment of some Blues' fans.

The Nigerian has been a Chelsea player for seven years, but while he arrived amid a tussle with Manchester United for his signature (via The Daily Telegraph) in 2006, he has never lived up to his billing.

After a string of disappointing performances last term, the time has come where Chelsea supporters are no longer willing to give him an opportunity to impress. With the club linked to players deemed superior to their current No.12, they will be hoping he departs sooner rather than later.

In early July it was Galatasaray who were rumored to be chasing Mikel, with the Daily Mail reporting of their interest. Soon after, Metro also suggested big-spending Ligue 1 outfit Monaco were chasing Mikel's signature.

Whoever it is that wants Mikel, Chelsea fans aren't too concerned, so long as he moves on.

Wayne Rooney

While they're rumored to be chasing a man to help prevent goals being conceded, Chelsea are also in the middle of a pursuit for a player to score them at the other end—Wayne Rooney.

With Romelu Lukaku, Demba Ba and Fernando Torres to choose from, Jose Mourinho is looking for a frontman who can add something a little different to those already at his disposal.

In his own words, "It's Rooney or bust" for Mourinho, as BBC Sport reported in mid-July, and for that reason alone Chelsea fans must be hoping the club can pull off a major coup in signing a key player from their rivals, Manchester United.

For one reason or another, there are mixed feelings surrounding the potential arrival of Rooney. But without him, Chelsea will be left short on numbers until January at least and for a club with ambitions of reclaiming the Premier League title, that's a considerable concern.

We've seen it before, though, where fans are often against a signing being made until said player begins to perform. In the blink of an eye, past insults and actions are forgotten and his name is being cheered at every opportunity.

Chelsea fans love nothing more than a player who is on form, scoring goals that win them matches, which Rooney's track record suggests he will do. For that reason, deep down, this is one transfer rumor fans want to come off.

Sami Khedira

On July 29, The Mirror announced that Real Madrid's Sami Khedira was back on the radar of Jose Mourinho, with the returning Chelsea manager eager to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho, of course, had worked with the German for three seasons at the Bernabeu, so has an idea of what he can offer the Blues.

With rumors surrounding Daniele De Rossi going quiet (see Slide 1), Khedira is seen by many Blues fans as the perfect alternative.

Like De Rossi, he has built up a considerable reputation throughout his career and, with his experience in the Champions League, should fit into the Chelsea midfield with ease.

We've said it before, but defensive midfield remains a concern. John Obi Mikel (Slide 2) isn't deemed up to the job and Blues fans are desperate for a replacement to be found.

They'll be hoping Khedira is just that man if moves elsewhere fail to bear fruit.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout the 2013-14 season. Follow him on Twitter here: @garryhayes