Chelsea Transfer News: Marco Reus Offer Reportedly Made, Andre Schurrle to Leave

Chelsea have reportedly made a £20 million player-plus-cash offer including Andre Schurrle for Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus.

A Record report (h/t Calcio Mercato and Metro) suggests Jose Mourinho is looking to outpace the rest of the competition for Reus' signature by offering a hefty package in January.

The Blues boss is "personally driving the deal," according to Metro, which could be key. Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are among those allegedly considering the player's talents, after all, as reported by Jamie Anderson of the Daily Express.

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Dortmund need to command a respectable fee for Reus' departure (unlike their decision to let Robert Lewandowski leave on a free), especially considering his summer buyout clause is currently set at £20 million, per James Dickenson of the Express.

Putting up this fee will give Reus the chance to speak with the club in question, but it's likely BVB will receive greater offers in an attempt to sweeten the deal. Chelsea's methodology would fall under this category if the aforementioned bid is proven to be correct.

Schurrle's potential inclusion aids the Premier League club as well, though, as it rids Mourinho of a highly paid star.

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This is particularly important with UEFA's Financial Fair Play guidelines now in effect. Chelsea's disposable income increases if Mourinho is able to rid the squad of an unneeded player, something Schurrle is proving to be this season.

The German has made just six starts across the Premier League and Champions League, scoring two goals in 423 minutes, per WhoScored.com. He also posted an underwhelming performance against Shrewsbury in the Capital One Cup, amplified by his poor display during the European tie at Maribor.

Schurrle remains difficult to slot in, both for club and country. He is capable of playing anywhere across the forward line and has repeatedly shown himself to offer greater impact from the bench. This was on full display during the World Cup, and it proved true when he scored in September's draw with Manchester City.

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He has lacked intensity when starting from the off, although a reoccurring infection certainly didn't help his cause through October, as reported by Reuters (h/t The Guardian).

Mourinho doesn't have time for those who aren't working to their full potential—highlighted by his sale of Juan Mata in January—meaning Schurrle could be next in the firing line. The manager himself noted Schurrle must "raise his level" after the Shrewsbury tie.

Reus is a more flamboyant, incisive and energetic prospect. He is an ambitious forward who is capable of raising the tempo with bursting runs or cutting passes. WhoScored.com noted his confidence from range:

A potential front three consisting of Reus, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa is enough to get any football fan salivating. There's a sense that Mourinho's Chelsea are progressing rapidly—heightened by their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign—and that any lagging players will be quickly pushed aside.

Schurrle is in danger of this and may have until January to prove himself. If Mourinho's bid for Reus comes to fruition, however, it's unlikely a run of decent form will save Schurrle from the chop.