Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Jose Mourinho's Next Major Targets

Never one to be content with the vast assets already under his command, it's been revealed that Jose Mourinho sought to smash the world transfer record this past summer with a bid for a certain Barcelona star.

Chelsea are currently top of the Premier League and have every reason to be confident in the squad already at Stamford Bridge, but that won't stop the swirl of speculation in west London.

Read on for more details on the club's failed summer offer, along with a breakdown of all the most recent news and rumours.

Lionel Messi

Daniel Tejedor/Associated Press

The worldly talent in question is of course Lionel Messi, and Metro claims that the Blues attempted a £118 million move on his services earlier this year.

The report states that Mourinho urged Chelsea into submitting a €150 million (£118 million) bid for the Blaugrana talisman, although it's unclear as to whether Barca rejected it, or simply failed to reply.

It's nothing new for the Catalan giants to face interest in their player, arguably the best in the world, with WhoScored.com pointing out precisely why some argue that to be the case:

So guarded are Barcelona over their prized possession that the very thought of Messi leaving the Camp Nou seems a preposterous one, the club he moved to 14 years ago as a child.

Granted, it's an audacious attempt from the Premier League giants, but does stand to prove just how much the club is willing to spend in an attempt to get their way.

Juan Cuadrado

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

A breakdown in Juan Cuadrado's contract talks has left Chelsea with a window of opportunity in their hopes to land the Colombian international next year.

That's according to Bruce Archer of the Daily Star, who adds that Fiorentina's wing wizard currently earns £1 million-a-year in Florence, but is seeking a substantial rise.

Julian de Martinis of of ESPN FC ponders whether it would have been better had La Viola chosen to cash in on their star over the summer, when his World Cup hype was still at its height:

"

This does make me wonder: if Fiorentina had sold Cuadrado for 40m+, and reinvested, would they be a better team?

— Julian of Martinis (@JulianDM11) September 25, 2014"

Manchester United and Barcelona are among the clubs also thought to be interested in Cuadrado, but in terms of formation prospects and availability of funds, the Blues may be in the best position to make good on their intrigue.

Adrien Rabiot

Paris Saint-Germain renegade Adrien Rabiot looks increasingly likely to leave the Parc des Princes in 2015, with his contract winding to close next summer.

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

It now seems a question of only when, and not if, the player will leave the French capital, but Italian newspaper Tuttosport (h/t Jamie Sanderson of the Express) says Rabiot is looking for a £4 million-a-year salary.

Laurent Blanc is quoted saying of his starlet earlier this summer:

"I believe he will leave, but I can't tell you where. Rabiot has received a good offer from PSG but apparently it doesn't interest him. It's a shame."

ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson offers his view on the debacle, noting the influence of Rabiot's agent mother, Veronique:

Arsenal, Roma and Manchester United will give the Blues competition in their pursuit of the midfield prospect, who seems spoiled for choice in his destination.