Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Charlie Austin and Juan Cuadrado Rumours

Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin is holding out for a move to Chelsea this summer, with reports claiming the 26-year-old is willing to snub interest from other Premier League clubs to join the Blues.

That’s according to Alan Oliver of the Sunday People (h/t the Mirror), who claimed the forward, who is apparently attracting interest Newcastle United, West Ham United and Leicester City, would jump at the chance to join the Stamford Bridge club, even if he becomes fourth-choice striker.

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As we can see here, courtesy of Squawka, Austin was one of the most prolific players in the Premier League last season:

Oliver noted that the forward recently got married and, as such, is keen to stay in London. It means if the Blues were to pull out of the race to sign him, West Ham would be the player’s preferred destination. But Austin is apparently keen to join Jose Mourinho’s side because of the “cash on offer.”

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However, given Chelsea have already signed Radamel Falcao on a season-long loan, do the Blues really need to move for the QPR man? After all, Mourinho rarely deviates from a system that accommodates one striker, and he already has Diego Costa and Loic Remy at his disposal alongside the Colombian.

Austin looks as though he’d cost big money to prise away from Loftus Road too, per Sky Sports News HQ:

The Englishman made massive strides last season and proved he could find the back of the net at the very top level. But while the prospect of signing for Chelsea must be tantalising, sitting on the bench all season would merely devalue the progress he made in 2014-15.

Teams such as Newcastle, West Ham and Leicester would be perfect places for the forward to continue developing. A move to the Blues, though it would surely be an ambition fulfilled, would set Austin back as he bids to cement his status as one of England’s best strikers.

Juventus 'Open' to Cuadrado Loan

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If Chelsea aren’t keen on utilising Juan Cuadrado in the upcoming campaign, Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has revealed the Bianconeri would be keen to take the Colombian off their hands.

“We are open to all possibilities,” Marotta told Mediaset Premium Sport (h/t James Benge of the London Evening Standard). “If Chelsea were open to releasing him on loan, we’d be very happy with that.”

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The winger failed to make an impact during the first six months of his Chelsea career and, as noted by Benge, has been linked with a summer move back to Serie A. The player has apparently “sought assurances” he’ll be a key figure at the club next season from Mourinho and is “keen” on staying in the Premier League.

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at the Colombian's circumstances:

It’d be misguided to give up on Cuadrado so quickly. To sign for a team in February and make an immediate impression is difficult, especially when tackling a new culture, different style of play and a league that goes at a ferocious tempo.

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As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, the Colombian loves to get stuck into his defensive duties too, something that will definitely endear him to Mourinho:

At his best, Cuadrado was a tremendous influence for Fiorentina on the flanks. He was a skilful, energetic and effective winger, capable of fulfilling a variety of different roles and turning precarious games with an isolated instance of untamed ingenuity.

Admittedly, the first few months of his career at Stamford Bridge didn’t go to plan. But with some time to get acclimatised to the fierce nature of English football and a full pre-season to come with the Blues, expect Cuadrado to show people exactly why Mourinho was so keen to bring him to Stamford Bridge in the winter transfer window.