Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Antonio Rudiger and Juan Cuadrado Rumours

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's bid to freshen up an ageing defence could include young German international Antonio Rudiger. The Stamford Bridge boss is reportedly very keen on the 22-year-old central defender but will face competition from London and Premier League rivals Arsenal.

A report from the Daily Star Sunday details Mourinho's interest: "The 22-year-old is on the wanted list of may top clubs but has previously expressed a desired for the Premier League. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has switched his attention towards Rudiger after discovering Real Madrid's Raphael Varane is not for sale."

A budding star for Stuttgart, Rudiger could be seen as an eventual successor to veteran talisman John Terry. The 34-year-old is still a force at the back but certainly a lion in winter.

Ian Walton/Getty Images

Mourinho may also want an immediate replacement for Gary Cahill. The 29-year-old England international is a committed defender, but one who can also be cumbersome and error-prone.

Chelsea do have young Frenchman Kurt Zouma waiting in the wings, but Mourinho hasn't shown much confidence in the 20-year-old. Zouma made just seven starts in the Premier League last season, according to WhoScored.com.

Rudiger, an ultra-athletic, ball-playing centre-back, could represent the young building block Mourinho needs to retool his defence for the future.

However, it seems as though these latest rumours are being generated and driven by the player's agent.

German publication Kicker (h/t Goal writer Chris Davie) reported that Rudiger has already agreed to terms with fellow Bundesliga club Wolfsburg, but the two sides haven't been able to settle on a fee.

Rudiger's agent, Sahr Senesie, has talked up the Chelsea interest. "I know there’s interest from Chelsea and Wolfsburg," he said. "Antonio would love to stay in Germany.”

Senesie's statement reads a lot like an attempt to leverage Wolfsburg into finally meeting Stuttgart's proposed €18 million asking price.

There's no doubt the Blues need a younger defender. Rudiger isn't the only one who's been linked with the Premier League champions. Chelsea have also reportedly shown interest in 21-year-old Lyon star Samuel Umtiti, per Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard.

Despite the wide net, though, it's probably best not to count on Rudiger moving to west London just yet.

Mourinho Wants Juan Cuadrado to Stay Put

One player who apparently won't be leaving Stamford Bridge is Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado. The former Fiorentina star was barely seen again after signing for Chelsea during the January transfer window.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Yet despite rarely using him, Mourinho is still a believer in Cuadrado's talents, according to the player's agent, Alessandro Lucci. He told Italian outlet TuttoMercato (h/t Goal's Alex McMahon) that the Blues' gaffer expects Cuadrado to be a key figure next season:

"

I read with amazement in some English and Italian newspapers about imaginary figures and agents associated with Cuadrado, so I think it is right to clarify the situation.

Cuadrado is a Chelsea player, strongly backed by Mourinho who believes in him. Juan is fine in London and is very likely to remain at Chelsea.

He has interest from other teams but I repeat; Juan is a Chelsea player.

"

Lucci's claims regarding Mourinho come amid interest from Serie A champions Juventus. The Turin-based club had expressed interest in a possible loan deal.

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

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

Cuadrado certainly fits the type of quick-breaking, counter-attacking game Mourinho loves his teams to play. The 27-year-old has the pace and power from wide areas the Blues often unleash on undermanned defences.

Cuadrado didn't get much chance to show those skills last term. He's also never been much of a goal threat. But it's probably too early to cut ties with such a versatile attacker.

Keeping Cuadrado around is a smart move, but only if Mourinho actually uses him next season. It would also be smart for Chelsea to continue searching for a promising, young defender.