Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Mario Mandzukic and Edinson Cavani

With Didier Drogba fast approaching the twilight of his career, it’d be little surprise to see Jose Mourinho on the lookout for forward options in the summer as he attempts to replenish Chelsea’s attacking options.

According to reports, the Blues boss could be pointed in the direction of Mario Mandzukic and Edinson Cavani.

Per Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star, Spanish sources claim that the aforementioned duo—also apparently targets for Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal—could both leave their respective clubs in the summer window. Here’s a look at how the two forwards compare to Chelsea’s own first-choice option, Diego Costa:

	Costa	Cavani	Mandzukic
Apps (Sub)	19	18 (3)	18
Goals	17	8	10
Assists	2	0	2
Shots per Game	3.2	3	2.4
Key Passes per Game	1.7	0.5	0.7
Dribbles per Game	1.3	0.5	0.3

Of the two mentioned, Cavani looks like the player to most likely be on the move this summer. The Uruguayan international has failed to make a sustained impact since his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, and reports have persisted throughout the last few months linking him with a move away from the Parc Des Princes.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

As noted by Anderson’s piece, the former Napoli man has admitted in the past that a potential move to the Premier League or La Liga is something that intrigues him:

"

I really like English football as well as Italian, but I am also a fan of Spanish football.

There are more spaces there and it’s great for a striker who likes to move around on the pitch. Spain is ideal for me and I’d be very happy to play there.

"

It’s clear that all is not well between the player, PSG manager Laurent Blanc and his team-mates either, per Matt Spiro of beIN Sports:

"

Laurent Blanc: "Cavani told me he was surprised I took him off. I told him his performance wasn't good enough" (BeIN Sports)

— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) February 1, 2015"

"

Cavani & Ibrahimovic combined TWICE for the entire 70 minutes they were on the pitch together. "Their relationship wasn't good," Blanc says

— Matt Spiro (@mattspiro) February 1, 2015"

Mandzukic is someone who looks a lot less likely to be departing in the summer window. He’s done well since moving to Atletico Madrid to replace the aforementioned Costa, and his unrelenting work rate makes him an ideal candidate to spearhead Diego Simeone’s irrepressibly intense side.

With that in mind, it’s difficult to see why the Spanish champions would sell him.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

As noted by MisterChip, the former Bayern Munich forward has contributed plenty when you consider it’s his debut season in Spain:

"

Spanish football debutants who have participated in the most goals this season [23] JAMES (12g+11a) [21] Vietto (15+6) [20] Mandzukic (18+2)

— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) February 4, 2015"

According to Anderson’s piece, the Croatian international would be the cheaper of the two options; his marriage of industry and incision would certainly do plenty to endear himself to Mourinho, too. But in the case of both Cavani and Mandzukic, it’s hard to foresee a potential move to Stamford Bridge.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

If Mourinho does target another forward in the summer, he’ll want a player who can add something different to his team’s offensive arsenal; as willing runners and aggressive point men, both are arguably pretty similar to what Costa currently offers this team but not quite as effective.

In addition, both players—if they do move—will want to be going to a club at which they are a first-choice option. Arguably, the pair would both force their way into the side at Arsenal, United or Liverpool. But at Chelsea—where Mourinho typically deploys a one-striker system—with Costa in situ, both players would be playing a supporting role initially.

With Drogba also revealing he intends to play on, per Sky Sports, Mourinho might put his search for another season yet.