Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Mauro Icardi and Jose Mourinho's January Plans

Mauro Icardi will set Chelsea or any other suitors back around £28 million, according to Charles Perrin of the Daily Express.

Liverpool are also said to be interested in the Inter Milan forward, who has netted eight goals across 14 appearances in Serie A and the Europa League this season, per WhoScored.com.

Former Inter coach Jesus Hernandez believes Icardi will move across the continent, where he is destined to be a hit.

"If Icardi played in Spain or England, where he is likely to go, he would be a star," said Hernandez, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Perrin). "He will become one. He has the talent to be the new Ronaldo."

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

The aforementioned fee is certainly viable if 21-year-old Icardi keeps his run of form going, but whether or not Jose Mourinho will want to spend that amount remains to be seen. The Portuguese boss has Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Didier Drogba on his books, with the Spain international and the Frenchman likely to remain at the club for quite some time.

Icardi is an out-and-out striker, a smart finisher who needs to play regularly to maintain his sharpness. He is prone to lapses in concentration at the best of times—his 70.8 percent pass success rate for the season underlining this, per WhoScored—but is effective when chances are laid on.

His qualities are highlighted in the video below:

Mourinho would have to alter his system to fit Icardi in alongside Costa, which would appear extremely unlikely with Chelsea currently sat unbeaten at the top of the Premier League.

Icardi also isn't an individual who works hard defensively—a staple for any player used by Mourinho—with him averaging 0.3 tackles per match, according WhoScored. He doesn't offer extra reinforcement when clearing corners, like Costa and Drogba, nor does he actively track back.

The Argentine's main qualities appear in the attacking third, but it's questionable whether he offers Chelsea anything they currently lack in front of goal.

Mourinho could instead aim to improve Chelsea's defence, another area which appears extremely solid. A £20 million move for Everton right-back Seamus Coleman has been touted, per Sam Cunningham of the Daily Mail, perhaps bringing Branislav Ivanovic's longevity at Stamford Bridge under the spotlight.

Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

The Serbian defender is the most physically astute full-back in the Premier League, but Coleman's speed and natural tenacity could aid Chelsea's attacking supply to Costa. Ivanovic's legs are starting to slow at the age of 30, and considering his lack of pace, could be exploited in the not too distant future.

An expensive deal for Coleman is hardly urgent, though. Mourinho has crafted a well-rounded squad since returning to Stamford Bridge and is more than capable of wrapping up silverware with the team he hailed as "brilliant" and "beautiful" after victory over West Brom, per Miguel Delaney of The Independent.

Mourinho has proven conscious of UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules—highlighted by the sales of Juan Mata, Kevin De Bruyne and David Luiz—so is unlikely to jeopardise the Blues' financial stability by spending heavily on a non-essential target.

Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

Icardi can be considered exactly that right now, while Coleman's potential impact at Chelsea would make him a terrific signing if some of the cost can be facilitated through a sale.