Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Juan Cuadrado and Martin Odegaard

Chelsea have revived their interest in signing Fiorentina ace Juan Cuadrado, but the west Londoners appear to have missed out on Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard, according to latest reports.

The Blues were one of the sides hotly linked with a move for Cuadrado last summer, but the Daily Mail's Simon Jones says Jose Mourinho is now back in for the Colombian winger.

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Following a summer rife with post-World Cup speculation, Cuadrado ultimately remained in Florence and penned a new deal with La Viola in October, replete with a £26.8 million release clause.

Jones writes that Fiorentina insist this fee be paid in full if the South American speedster is to leave their shores, with David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com noting a deal is "possible":

Cuadrado was one of a number of Colombian players to delight at the World Cup, seeing his reputation for marauding runs and tenacious play even further enhanced in front of a global audience.

Alex Kay of the Daily Mail states his quality would be a welcome addition for the Premier League:

Chelsea wide man Marko Marin was on loan with Fiorentina, but will now finish the campaign with Anderlecht, per Jack Briden of the Daily Mail. 

Reports emerged this week claiming that Cuadrado would be in the stands for Chelsea's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool, but Football Italia dubbed such rumours as false:

In any case, Jose Mourinho's side are aware of the fee needed to secure Cuadrado's signature, but a host of variables will decide whether or not he can complete a move this winter.

Another wide talent being linked with the Stamford Bridge outfit is Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus, whom Bleacher Report's Alex Dimond discusses as a potential January acquisition, along with others:

Cuadrado still remains a viable target for the west Londoners, but according to Norwegian outlet Drammen DT (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Express), Martin Odegaard has chosen Real Madrid as his next club.

Spanish newspaper AS backs up the report, claiming the 16-year-old could soon a six-year deal in the days to come:

A selection of Europe's titans have gotten in on the hunt for Odegaard over recent months, with the teenager recently completing a tour of clubs in England, Germany and Spain.

It's been revealed by Stromsgodset team-mates Martin Ovenstad and Gustav Wikheim that while training with Real, Odegaard had a chat with 2014 Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. Talking to Norwegian television station TV 2 (h/t AS), the pair said:

"

He said he spoke with Cristiano and he said: ‘In a couple of years I will stop scoring as many goals and you need to take over.' He has promised to come and visit on his holidays and vice-versa. When you have a pal playing in Madrid you have no choice but to visit.

"

Given that Ovenstad and Wikheim may have more intimate knowledge of Odegaard's intentions, the pair can perhaps be considered to be telling the truth. After all, Real are arguably the strongest power in club football at present.

This leaves Chelsea, one of the youngster's other admirers, in the cold. Only time will tell just what a loss Odegaard may be, but Mourinho may have to settle for targeting players capable of more immediate impact.