Chelsea Transfer News: Major Radamel Falcao and Arda Turan Rumours Emerge

Chelsea are to complete a loan deal for Radamel Falcao from Monaco very soon before allowing the striker to take an extended break ahead of a return to pre-season training.

That’s according to Tom Dutton of the London Evening Standard, who wrote that the deal will be completed “imminently.” It’s also noted in the piece that Colombian TV channel Caracol claim the 29-year-old will then join up with the Blues on July 19 after a three-week break.

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Falcao will “take a major pay cut” to join Jose Mourinho’s team, putting his weekly salary “way beneath” the stratospheric sum of £265,000-a-week he earned during his time at Manchester United last season.

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Johnson took a look at where Falcao will fit in at Stamford Bridge:

Giving the former Atletico Madrid star an extended break is probably a wise move by Mourinho. After all, as we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, the Copa America didn’t prove to be any kind of salvation for the forward after a disastrous domestic season:

But it’s clear the Chelsea manager, who would have witnessed Falcao at his devastating best in La Liga during his days as Real Madrid manager, thinks there is still something to rekindle in El Tigre. “It hurts me that people in England think that the real Falcao is the one we saw at Manchester United,” said Mourinho earlier this month, per Dutton.

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In fairness to the “people” Jose refers to, the Colombian came with a stellar reputation and gave us little to get excited about. Squawka Football put his goalscoring exploits into context:

The razor-sharp predator who terrorised defences up and down Europe seemed to be no more, with the ferocious tempo of English football catching Falcao off guard. But Mourinho rarely gets it wrong when it comes to signings and if he can get the Colombian anywhere near his best again, Chelsea will have some player on their hands.

However, it’s tough not to worry for Falcao. Mourinho favours a one-striker system, and given the manner in which Diego Costa played last season, it’s unlikely he’ll be dropped any time soon. It’s absolutely imperative the Colombian gets games to rediscover his touch, but at the moment, it’s tough to see where his opportunities will come from.

Arda Turan Agrees Chelsea Switch, Says Report

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According to Radio Marca, (h/t Will Giles of Metro) Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan has agreed terms with Chelsea ahead of a summer transfer.

As noted in Giles’ piece, the 28-year-old has made his intentions clear that he wants to leave the Vicente Calderon this summer, prompting links with a clutch of illustrious clubs, including Manchester United. But it looks increasingly like the Turkish international is set to end up at Stamford Bridge.

Here’s the kind of quality he would add to Mourinho’s side:

If you were to identify an attacking player in European football who is tailor made not only for the English game but for Chelsea, Turan would be it. So often in matches we’ll be witness to the midfielder dazzling with his dribbling skills one minute before chasing back opponents back in another passage of play.

As noted here by WhoScored.com, Turan is insatiable in his willingness to win the ball back for his team:

His are abilities that fall perfectly in line with Mourinho’s own altruistic principles. Turan may not possess the intricacy of Eden Hazard or the dynamism of Willian, but he’s a delightfully cerebral player and, given the manner in which he wears his heart on his sleeve, would be a massively popular figure at Stamford Bridge.

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There are occasions when he needs to calm things down a little bit, as we can see here courtesy of Paddy Power:

But as Costa showed us during his maiden Premier League campaign, often anti-heroes are much more fun to watch. Turan’s gnarly nature may not endear him to rival supporters, but that’ll just make the Blues faithful love him even more.

If Chelsea can get this one over the line, Turan would slot seamlessly into any of the three attacking-midfield roles Mourinho opts for in his 4-2-3-1 system. He may be 28 years old and, according to Giles, cost circa £29.1 million, but the Turkey international would be one of the signings of the summer.