Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Reports and Rumours Circling Stamford Bridge

Long renowned as one of the game’s big spenders, Jose Mourinho has insisted that Chelsea no longer have the financial clout to compete with the likes of Manchester United and the rest of European football's juggernauts.

The Portuguese boss referred to the club’s sales in the past two transfer windows and how they’ve been vital, not only to fund the signings of incoming players, but to ensure they fall in line with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations, per Yahoo (h/t Joe Short of the Express):

"

When UEFA decided for Financial Fair Play they were trying to do this to make every team [have] equal possibilities.

But the reality is that the big teams, the big clubs, the clubs with more years at the top with more fan base around the world, with more income, are the players that keep being the big spenders.

So Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern, Manchester [United] – all these huge teams, I think they have an advantage.

"

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Despite Mourinho’s claims, it’d be difficult to argue against the notion that Chelsea had a stellar summer transfer window. At this juncture they have accrued nine points from nine and the new signings seem to have given the Blues a refreshing edge to their play.

But with transfer dealings clearly at the forefront of the Portuguese’s mind, here’s the very latest reports and rumours when it comes to the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Tiago Snubbed Blues Reunion

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Mourinho was keen to bring the Portuguese midfielder back to Stamford Bridge for a second spell during the summer, but the former Blues player decided to sign a contract extension with Atletico Madrid instead.

Speaking with Spanish publication AS (h/t Vaishali Bhardwaj of Metro), the 33-year-old has revealed that an offer was on the table from Chelsea. But having just enjoyed a glorious campaign with the new Spanish champions, Tiago decided to stick around in the Spanish capital:

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At the end of last season, I received a great offer (from Chelsea) and it made me think about making a change. But I realised that the most important thing was to feel important at a club.

I spoke to Cholo (Diego Simeone) and he told me he wanted me in the squad in the next training session. From then, I could only think of rejoining Atletico and wearing this shirt again.

"

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Indeed, while it’s highly likely that the offer from the Londoners would have been much more lucrative, in the twilight of his career the most important thing for Tiago is to accrue as many first-team games as possible. And at the Vicente Calderon, the opportunities will be much more readily available than at Stamford Bridge.

Tiago is a player Mourinho knows well and he’s a man that could have provided a real steadying influence to the Chelsea midfield. But he’s clearly happy at Atletico and for the sake of his own playing time, he’s made a smart decision to extend his stay.

Loic Remy Happy To Be At Chelsea

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The French forward was on the brink of a move to Liverpool before complications emerged with his medical and the deal fell through. But Remy has insisted he couldn’t be happier to have ended up at Stamford Bridge.

Per Bruce Archer of the Daily Star, the 27-year-old confirmed he would have been happy to stay at QPR following the collapse of his move to Anfield, but once Chelsea came in, he didn’t think twice about making the switch across London: 

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In my head, I quite wanted to stay at QPR, but I did not hesitate one second to many reasons: for my room for improvement, for my confidence, in terms of level of demand and Chelsea is one of the best clubs in the world. I'm happy to have signed for a club like this.

I know I'm not going to be the first striker, but nothing is set. I have goals. By signing here, I did not say it was to stay on the sidelines. I will try to move up alongside great players. The rest will happen naturally.

"

Mark Runnacles/Getty Images

Remy is a player that’ll afford excellent support to Diego Costa and he’s a striker that’s shown during his time in the Premier League that he has all the requisite attributes to flourish. Not only is he a clinical finisher, but he’s lightning quick, an excellent dribbler and a very hard worker.

The former Marseille man looks to be in excellent form, too, as we can see here courtesy of Squawka:

Having offloaded Fernando Torres on loan to Milan, Remy represents a major upgrade to Chelsea's back-up forward choices. And with either Costa, Remy or Didier Drogba leading the line for the Stamford Bridge club this season, the striking woes that seemed to blight the Blues’ 2013/14 aspirations look to have been alleviated.

Blues On Alert For Zakaria Bakkali

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The prodigious winger is one of Europe’s hottest young talents and, according to Simeon Gholam of the Mail Online, contract talks with his current employers PSV Eindhoven have broken down. That could open the door for a host of illustrious Premier League outfits to move for the player, with Chelsea rumoured to be interested.

Here’s why Bakkali is so highly thought of:

The 18-year-old is indisputably talented. He’s blisteringly quick and with the ball at his feet, he can mesmerise opponents with sublime trickery. For a side to potentially pick him up on a cut-price deal in January or a free transfer next summer would represent excellent business.

There have been questions about the player’s attitude from some, though, as noted here by football_oranje:

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The contrast between Memphis Depay and Zakaria Bakkali is huge. One will do anything to succeed, one thinks he is already great.

— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) September 6, 2014"

It's clear the player needs to get his head down, work hard and make an impression. And if there are problems with his temperament, Mourinho could be the ideal man to take Bakkali under his wing and get him focused.

But would Bakkali be afforded the time to make an impression at Chelsea? At his age, he needs to be playing regular games and with the embarrassment of attacking midfield riches that Mourinho currently has at his disposal, it’s difficult to see the youngster—who stylistically, is still a little rough around the edges—forcing his way into the first team any time soon.

At Manchester United and Liverpool—two other clubs reportedly interested in his services—his opportunities would potentially be much easier to come by. That’s why at this stage of his development, the player would be best suited to avoid a move to Stamford Bridge.