Chelsea Transfer News: Sergio Busquets Hints at Move, Fresh Mauro Icardi Rumours

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has admitted he would like to play in the Premier League "one day," a revelation which could catch the attention of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Busquets is due to face Manchester City on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium, a Champions League tie which will go a long way to deciding who Chelsea could face later in the competition (if they overcome Paris Saint-Germain). He is proud to carry out Barca's patrolling work, but he admits he could be tempted into an eventual change, reported by Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail:

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Perhaps when you play the same style of football for many years you can tire of it and the football in England is very different. I can’t say I’ll definitely play there because I’ve always said that I want to be here for many years but I would like to experience the Premier League one day.

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Chelsea were among those to be linked to Busquets throughout the January transfer window. The controlling midfielder has been a vital cog in Barca's era of success and is the type of player whose influence is easy to overlook. However, Busquets' quality in possession, eye for a pass and ability to track play has seen him widely recognised as one of the world's best in his particular role.

Mourinho currently deploys the more physical presence of Nemanja Matic in Chelsea's destructive midfield role, with Cesc Fabregas and either Oscar or Ramires performing multi-functional tasks in front of him.

Speculation suggesting Busquets could move to Stamford Bridge may have never arrived if Ramires' recent return to form happened earlier, as the Brazilian is now performing with the tireless vigour which makes him a potential match-winner.

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Busquets isn't too dissimilar to Manchester United's Michael Carrick. He could succeed in the Premier League without altering his game, as those long strides up the pitch and willingness to wait for play to develop before passing makes him an effective conductor on the halfway line. Like Carrick's importance to the Red Devils, Barca never quite muster the same control when Busquets is absent.

His comments are sure to grab the interest of the Premier League's elite. Chelsea are also said to be interested in Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi, a player who is reportedly "demanding" a new contract "worth triple his current salary" to remain at the San Siro, per Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard.

Collomosse noted Chelsea's interest and suggests Icardi wants £100,000 per week to stay in Italy, something there is a "chance" Inter will refuse. The Argentinian striker has netted 13 Serie A goals this season, per WhoScored.com, but is a prime candidate to be sold with the club "under pressure" to meet UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations, per Collomosse.

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Although David Amoyal, writer on behalf of Sky Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio, suggests a new contract won't "close the door" on Icardi's potential departure, he details how a new investment could keep the player at the club:

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One of the issues complicating the negotiating is how the marketing rights will be split. There is an important update on the subject: as reported by Fabrizio Romano, Icardi's entourage led by Abian Moreno is close to reaching an agreement with an important sponsor from China. The Asian market is very important to Inter, and the club is trying to capitalize on the striker's appeal.

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Amoyal suggests Inter could increase their offer to "well over €2 million euro after taxes per season to Icardi" if this deal goes through. This would still fall short of his alleged desires, however.

Icardi's transfer would likely rank among the costliest of the summer. B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Matteo Bonetti recently analysed a few deals which could compete:

Chelsea's squad appears well stacked right now. Mourinho has strength-in-depth and world-class quality in every position to enjoy. While Busquets' quality could improve any side in the world, Icardi would likely have to fight for his place under Diego Costa.

Both transfers appear unlikely, despite the quality of the individuals who may be tempted to move.