Chelsea Transfer News: Juan Cuadrado Terms 'Agreed', Fresh Douglas Costa Rumours

Juan Cuadrado is reportedly close to becoming a Chelsea player after news that he has "agreed personal terms" with the Premier League leaders.

Charles Perrin of the Express describes the talented Colombian as "Jose Mourinho's top target" and says the Special One is "believed to be increasingly confident of clinching a move [for Cuadrado]" as European reports suggest a transfer is close.

Perrin also informs the deal is dependent on the sales of either Andre Schurrle or Mohamed Salah, who will be shown the Stamford Bridge door to make way for the Fiorentina winger.

Schurrle is said to be subject of a £25 move by Wolfsburg for his services, seeing the World Cup winner return to his native Germany, per Perrin.

The same author also explains Cuadrado's release clause stands at £26.8 million but La Viola want a strong bid from the Blues in order to progress any deal.

But with the euro weakening against the pound, Chelsea might see a unique opportunity to grab the player at a significant discount.

However, the Blues may yet face competition for the wide man's signature with news Real Madrid could make a late move, per Alex Harris of the Daily Star. Harris says Madrid want to add Cuadrado to their ranks in the summer and are happy to meet his buy-out fee.

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The midfielder has once again been influential for his club in Serie A this season, scoring four times and providing four assists in his 17 league appearances, per WhoScored.com.

Adam Digby of the Mirror recently lauded Mourinho's bid to sign Cuadrado, saying Chelsea will be purchasing a player who could become a bona-fide Premier League star:

"

There is so much more to his game than just scoring however, as his pace and trickery on the wing prove an unstoppable combination for even the best defences.

Much like Eden Hazard, Cuadrado has that magical touch, that element of fantasy in his play that is unquantifiable by any statistic or number.

He possesses the ability and slight-of-foot to first shift his marker in the wrong direction, before speeding off in the opposite direction leaving an embarrassed opponent in his wake.

"

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Another attacking force on Chelsea's radar is Brazilian playmaker Douglas Costa. James Dickenson of the Express confirms Chelsea are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk, with The Sun claiming a £20 million bid has been submitted.

But Dickenson says this is £3.5 million short of the Ukrainian club's valuation, and Chelsea must now decide what to do next.

Costa has "pleaded" his corner to be allowed the move to West London, per Dickenson, and hopes Shakhtar do not deny him his dream:

"I put my situation to them and they said they would try to help me. Now, we'll see if it comes to an agreement."

Chelsea will have a busy few days ahead of them if they wish to complete deals for Cuadrado and Costa—but it is questionable whether Mourinho needs both players.

Costa has steadily improved over the past few years and has always had the potential to play at a higher level than he currently does. But with Hazard and Oscar pulling the strings at Chelsea, and Willian and Ramires performing more workmanlike functions in midfield, it is difficult to imagine where the player fits in.

However, Cuadrado would be a magnificent signing and his performances at the World Cup showed the depth of his ability.

He is a versatile wide player who can operate from full-back to the wing—and he would add value, even to Chelsea's currently ample squad.

Financial valuations of players continue to explode and some may feel Cuadrado is overpriced, but Mourinho only needs to tweak his options in January to all but guarantee the Premier League trophy.