Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Koke, Gareth Bale and Marco Reus
Not content with securing playmaker Cesc Fabregas this summer, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly eyeing up another Spanish pass master. Atletico Madrid schemer Koke is apparently on the radar for the Blues boss, but he isn't the only La Liga talent Mourinho is keen on.
The Chelsea chief would also like to add Real Madrid's Welsh wing wizard, Gareth Bale, to his ranks. However, the one-time Tottenham Hotspur star could be keen to remain with Los Blancos.
Meanwhile, there are a few new twists and turns in Chelsea's mooted pursuit of another gifted wide forward, Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus. Any deal is likely to hinge on Chelsea's own Germany international, Andre Shurrle, who has now become a target for Premier League clubs.
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Beginning with Koke, Chelsea will face competition from Manchester City and Mourinho's career-long nemesis Barcelona, according to talkSPORT:
"Manchester City and Chelsea target Koke will soon be subject of a bid from Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
Chelsea are long-time admirers of Koke but the fantastic form of Cesc Fabregas and midfield partner Nemanja Matic means Koke is no longer a necessity and could not be guaranteed a starting spot.
"
It's probably fair to argue that the current form of Fabregas renders any bid for Koke a luxury move. Fabregas has been magnificent since returning to the Premier League after three seasons with Barca.
The pint-sized creative ace has already tallied 11 assists in Premier League and UEFA Champions League action this season, per WhoScored.com. That's the kind of output Mourinho would have wanted from Koke.
The Atleti playmaker is a little more versatile than Fabregas, in that he can comfortably play on the right side. He's also a more ruthless and willing tackler. However, Koke is at his best influencing games in forward areas.
Given his £55 million release clause, along with Fabregas' fast start to life at Stamford Bridge, this is a deal Chelsea should avoid.
Another deal Mourinho could well likely miss out on, whether he likes it or not, is a proposed bid to sign Bale. According to Tuttomercatoweb.com (via Daily Express reporter Anthony Chapman), Chelsea were ready to pay £90 million for the prolific winger.
However, Bale has since poured cold water on those rumours by confirming his desire to stay in the Spanish capital. That's according to Spanish website Fichajes.net (h/t Metro):
"Gareth Bale will reportedly snub a £90million move to Chelsea after deciding to stay and fight for his place at Real Madrid.
The Welshman, who also has interest from Manchester United, is a Madrid fan and he won’t be pushed to depart the team, even though he risks becoming a back-up player to Isco.
"
Similar to the situation with Koke, this needn't be a particularly devastating blow for the Blues. Bale's power, pace and direct style, makes him perfect for Mourinho's counter-attacking style. But his squad already boasts a multi-talented winger in the form of Eden Hazard.
More to the point, Mourinho can look elsewhere if he wants to recruit a new wide forward to terrorise defences. In that regard, Reus remains his best option.
Spanish newspaper Marca (h/t Daily Star reporter Chisanga Malata) has recently identified Chelsea as the front-runner to sign Reus. This claim was no doubt based on reports from German newspaper Bild (h/t Sport Witness), suggesting the Blues would be open to offering Schurrle as part of any deal.
Landing Schurrle would be solid compensation for Dortmund. The lightning-quick 24-year-old has a knack for scoring key goals and would suit a Dortmund team that just loves to strike at pace on the break.
Yet there could be a spanner in the works in the form of Premier League interest in Schurrle. According to Daily Express reporter Anthony Chapman, both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are keen on Schurrle and prepared to spend big to sign him:
"Liverpool and Tottenham are set to launch £25 million bids for Chelsea star Andre Schurrle in January.
...
The Germany international has become a bit-part player at Stamford Bridge despite shining for his country during their victorious World Cup campaign in Brazil, with Jose Mourinho openly criticising the forward's inconsistent performances.
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It's hard to envisage Mourinho selling to a Premier League rival, particularly a local foe like Spurs. However, it's also not easy to fathom how Chelsea could turn down £25 million for a player the manager doesn't want.
After all, he sold Juan Mata to Manchester United for £37.1 million back in January. Deals like that have helped the Blues post healthy profits and a record turnover, per Ian Herbert of The Independent.
The club's official website detailed the figures: "Chelsea FC plc today announced a profit of £18.4 million and a record turnover of £319.8 million for the year ended 30 June 2014. This is the second profit in three years and the largest since Roman Abramovich became owner of the club in 2003."
That type of turnover is unlikely to make Mourinho think twice about selling Schurrle. However, his best bet could still be to use the player as a makeweight to land Reus.
Adding Reus alongside Hazard, Diego Costa and Oscar would give Chelsea an attacking prowess the whole of Europe would truly fear.
The current transfer rumours involving Chelsea show Mourinho is committed to adding more forward flair to a team that continues to make strides as an attacking force. Mourinho appears content with his defensive resources but clearly wants an even greater threat up front.
That's a smart ploy given how failures to score against teams such as Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Norwich City, all but cost Chelsea last season's Premier League title.
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