Chelsea Transfer News: Marco Reus Talks Ordered, Latest on Gerard Pique

Jose Mourinho has reportedly told Chelsea officials to open talks with the agent of Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus in an attempt to beat a host of interested clubs to the star forward's signature this summer.

The Daily Express' James Dickenson reports the Blues are hoping to outsmart the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and several more top clubs as they seek to avoid a bidding war in January.

Reus' contract carries a £20 million buyout clause starting in the summer of 2015, at which time any club would be free to launch their own offer for the Germany international, regardless of Dortmund's wishes.

If Die Schwarzgelben can't come to a new contract agreement with the 25-year-old, they could be tempted to sell their star to the highest bidder in January. Dortmund would obviously prefer to avoid a sale altogether but when faced with the alternatives, a January move may be their best option.

The team's dreadful start to the 2014-15 Bundesliga campaign has led to plenty of transfer speculation regarding the likes of Reus and Mats Hummels. The former's buyout clause makes him a prime candidate to follow the players such as Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze through the exit door.

As shared by WhoScored.com, his high level of production is something virtually any club in the world would be willing to pay a premium for:

The Blues don't have a clear need for another forward, with Eden Hazard and Willian doing an excellent job manning the position this season, but it's hard to pass up the opportunity to sign a world-class talent like Reus.

Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle have been mentioned as candidates for a possible swap-plus-cash deal, and the Independent's Joe Krishnan wondered whether the latter would present a realistic scenario:

Germany teammate Toni Kroos believes Reus will find success regardless of where he ends up, as he told Bild (h/t 101 Great Goals):

"

Dortmund, Barcelona, ​​Real or Bayern – Marco Reus will succeed wherever [he chooses to go]. He has the quality, and his contract situation means he is now in demand. He is smart enough to make the right decision.

"

Speculation will continue until Reus publicly states whether he plans to leave Die Schwarzgelben or stay in Dortmund. As long as he doesn't sign a new deal, a departure at some point in 2015 remains likely.

Chelsea also remain linked to Barcelona star Gerard Pique, whose situation at the Camp Nou was recently discussed by teammate Javier Mascherano during an interview with Onda Cero, as reported by Marca. Pique continues to be linked with a move away from the Catalans following a poor run of form, but his Argentine teammate believes some of the criticism is unwarranted:

"Players are often judged on their private lives," he said. "People shouldn't lump things together. An on-form Pique is among the best in the world and I've always found it a pleasure to play alongside him."

Daniel Tejedor/Associated Press

Pique himself recently spoke out on the rumours linking him with a move back to the Premier League during an interview with Movistar TV (h/t Bein Sports), ruling out a transfer: "Barcelona is my life and I do not plan to leave. I will continue to fight for a place. I don't think playing two or three matches and then leaving would be consistent."

Manchester United are often named as a potential landing spot for the Spain international, although the Blues have also been linked with a move, via the Daily Mirror's Ed Malyon.

The centre-back is yet to feature for Barcelona since the 3-1 Clasico loss against Real Madrid, and that has led to even more speculation. A January transfer always appeared unlikely, however, even before Pique ruled out such a move.

The Catalans' transfer ban means it would be impossible for Luis Enrique to sign a replacement with Pique's experience and pedigree (or any replacement at all), so in order to persuade Barcelona to sell, any offer would have to be substantial.

Chelsea don't have a need at the centre-back position, and while it's never a bad idea to add talent and experience to any group of players, paying a large sum for an out-of-form player who may not even be a starter is just bad business.

Mascherano made it clear he doesn't want to see his teammate leave anytime soon, and as of right now, nothing indicates such a scenario will come to pass.

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