Chelsea Transfer News: Oscar Exit Rumours, Mauro Icardi Rejects New Inter Deal

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has added fuel to the fires that claim midfield maestro Oscar could be heading for the club's exit this summer, but a deal for Mauro Icardi is on after he rejected a new offer from Inter.

There's growing speculation at Stamford Bridge that Oscar could leave Chelsea, and The Independent's Tom Sheen says Mourinho's comments following Saturday's 2-1 win over Stoke City suggest the coach is open to a departure:

"I don't think he had a bad performance, I just think he was not good enough, which is a huge difference."

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

One would be tempted to admit it is slightly odd to hear a manager criticise one of his own players so openly, but the comment perhaps isn't so severe that any assumptions can be made regarding Oscar's future just yet.

Talk of Oscar potentially moving to Juventus this summer has intensified of late, with The Independent claiming the Brazilian could be used as part of a player-swap deal to land Paul Pogba:

It's a strange turn of events for Mourinho in particular considering the tactician opted to sell Juan Mata last year and place his faith in Oscar as Chelsea's playmaking hero of the future.

However, it appears faith in the Selecao star may be waning. Pogba would be an asset to improve any team in the world at present, but Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes recently discussed Real Madrid's Luka Modric as a desirable target:

With Juan Cuadrado being added to the Blues ranks this past winter, perhaps the gears are being put in motion to see Chelsea revolutionise their attacking midfield at the end of this term.

In any case, Oscar may look to pick up his standards on the club scene during this end-of-season run-in with Mourinho's loyalties seemingly wavering.

Mauro Icardi Turns Down Inter's Advances

The chances of Icardi completing a move away from the San Siro this summer appear to be improving after it was alleged the Argentinian had turned down a new contract offer from Inter.

Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

That's according to Italian outlet Mediaset (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), claiming Icardi rejected the chance to pen a new deal worth £2 million a year.

The report insists the Inter attacker is holding out for an annual salary of £2.2 million, and Chelsea could be the party to accommodate should they feel his talent is worth their investment.

However, Football Italia has since reported negotiations are ongoing and Icardi hasn't fallen out with his employers just yet:

It's common knowledge that sky-high wages are more readily available among the Premier League's elite, but Inter may yet open their chequebook to ensure a player of Icardi's quality remains.

The 22-year-old is currently joint-third in Serie A's scoring charts after bagging 15 goals this season, and David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com cites Sky Sport's Fabrizio Romano in claiming Manchester United are fiercely interested:

United's interest could be of some use to Inter as a bidding war between two English titans would serve their needs better in attempting to clinch as high a fee possible for their attacking marvel.

The Nerazzurri have their hands on Icardi for now, but having declined the opportunity to extend his deal in Milan, the South American looks primed for a change of surroundings.