Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Raheem Sterling and Rumoured Blues Targets

Raheem Sterling and Edinson Cavani still dominate the latest round of transfer rumours involving Chelsea. Both players represent intriguing options for manager Jose Mourinho's suddenly fluid attack. However, neither player is a necessity for the Blues.

Here's the state of play on both, beginning with Sterling:

Chelsea Ready for £48M Bidding War with PSG for Raheem Sterling

Young Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling has taken just two seasons to go from promising talent to established, match-winning star. His awesome pace, classy technique and versatility have marked Sterling out as an attacker opponents fear.

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Those same qualities are apparently tempting Jose Mourinho into thinking he can beat Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain to the signature of the teenage England international. That's according to Daily Express writer Anthony Chapman:

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It has been claimed that Sterling is open to a move away from Anfield in the near future, and it has even been reported by some outlets that Premier League rivals Chelsea have now thrown their hat in the ring.

Jose Mourinho is apparently keen to bring some of the brightest English talents to Stamford Bridge next summer and is also keeping tabs on injured Everton star Ross Barkley as he looks to build a dynasty in west London.

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Sterling is currently in contract negotiations with Liverpool, but he'll be acutely aware of the riches available in both the French capital and at Stamford Bridge. Yet, despite the interest from two of modern football's financial heavyweights, Anfield chief Brendan Rodgers remains confident the Reds will keep Sterling, per Daily Star reporter Chisanga Malata:

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It’s not a big issue for us. Ian Ayre has spoken with his representatives and he is quite relaxed. The club is dealing with the agent so everything is calm.

The boy is remarkably happy here and there are no secondary thoughts about anything else other than continuing to play for Liverpool.

Also, to continue with his development because he still has a lot of growth and for that the best place for him to be is here. His representatives respect that and the club respects that. So that will get sorted out in time.

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However, no matter what Rodgers says, Liverpool will struggle to compete in a bidding war with Chelsea and PSG. Few teams in the game can match PSG buck for buck, but Chelsea, armed with owner Roman Abramovich's vast fortune, are certainly one such club.

The question is, should the Blues even try?

That Sterling is a talent is beyond doubt, but Mourinho's squad is hardly lacking for players at his position. Germany international Andre Schurrle is a fleet-footed super sub with an eye for goal, while Brazilian workhorse Willian rarely lets the side down.

Of course, that pair are often merely used as foils to the mercurial talents of Eden Hazard. The lightning-in-a-bottle trickster is quickly developing into a guaranteed match-winner in the biggest games.

As good as playmaker Cesc Fabregas and prolific striker Diego Costa have been, 23-year-old Hazard has been just as effective this season.

On the surface, signing Sterling would give Chelsea two dynamic young stars either side of Costa. Certainly, Sterling's sprinter-like speed would suit the counter-attacking game that has been the trademark of all Mourinho-coached teams.

However, signing Sterling could also create a too-many-cooks scenario. Both he and Hazard are individualist talents; they may not gel together when having to share the spotlight.

Blues Want to Land Cavani Next Summer

Chelsea may inadvertently make PSG's attempt to sign Sterling easier if they can wrap up a deal for Edinson Cavani. Then again, given how much the Uruguay international has been struggling, PSG may be grateful to Chelsea for taking him off their hands.

That's something the Blues could make happen, according to talkSPORT:

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Chelsea target Edinson Cavani could be available on the 'cheap'—with the striker failing to win over the Paris Saint-Germain supporters.

The Uruguayan has so far failed to reproduce at PSG the devastating form he showed at previous clubs Palermo and Napoli and as a result he is often being forced out wide to play second fiddle behind main man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

A post-match poll among PSG fans asked if the Uruguay striker is worth his £50m price-tag and a resounding 71 per cent said NO.

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The same report suggests Mourinho might want Cavani to fill out his striking options next summer once 36-year-old Didier Drogba's contract expires. However, even though he has endured a spectacular fall from grace, Cavani won't want to be a backup to Costa.

Playing in the shadow of a more illustrious teammate at his position is what's landed Cavani in trouble in the French capital. His underwhelming performances have become a major issue, with the French press showing no mercy for Cavani's struggles, per French football specialist Matt Spiro:

Problems in France would certainly make an exit likely for Cavani, but with Costa in lethal form, where would the Blues play him? One intriguing option would be to deploy him behind the centre-forward.

This was a role he expertly performed for Uruguay against England at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Cavani worked hard between the midfield and forward lines and provided a sublime assist for Luis Suarez's first goal in a 2-1 win.

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However, this option would require a major tactical shift from Mourinho. It's difficult to believe even Mourinho will be persuasive enough to convince Cavani to warm the bench.

Either one of these big-money moves would certainly generate headlines, as well as add something to an already potent attack. Of the two, Sterling makes more sense, provided Mourinho deems him worthy of the large fee and can successfully accommodate him in the same forward line as Hazard.