Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Join Mario Gotze Hunt, Latest Izzy Brown Rumours

Latest reports suggest Chelsea will join the race to sign Mario Gotze, following news of his discontent at Bayern Munich, while Blues youngster Izzy Brown is set to become the latest player loaned to Vitesse Arnhem.

The Daily Express, via Metro's Jamie Sanderson, reports the Premier League champions will join Arsenal and Manchester United in looking to lure Gotze away from the Allianz Arena in a £49.6 million move.

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Gotze moved to Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2013 after Der FCB triggered his €37 million release clause, but murmurs suggest his relationship with the club's hierarchy has broken down.

The player's agent, Volker Struth, spoke to German newspaper Bild (h/t Goal's SW Lim) this week and proclaimed Bayern boss Pep Guardiola had "destroyed Gotze," voicing a lack of faith in his client:

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Guardiola has destroyed Gotze. He feels like the coach doesn't have faith in him and yet still he is asked to be decisive when he gets on the pitch. I'm surprised that Guardiola didn't use Gotze in important matches like the German Cup and Champions League semi-finals. He only plays in the easy games.

I wonder why no one at the club has realised that and defended Mario. Bayern need a figure like former president Uli Hoeness again.

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Gotze came on as a substitute in last year's World Cup final to score in the 113th minute and win Germany the tournament, but he has been endlessly moved around the Bayern Munich lineup since arriving.

When speaking to German television station TZ, via Goal's Stefan Coerts, club legend Franz Beckenbauer hit back at claims that Gotze isn't appreciated to the fullest and suggested the player needs to improve in certain areas:

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I don't know whether Mario is lacking support at Bayern. He could not have had a better team around him than here at Bayern in the past two seasons. I don't know what kind of support he would need. The player himself is responsible for his own performances.

If he wants to succeed at Bayern and really make an impact in his third season, he might have to change his game. He has to do more, especially in the one-on-ones. You have to offer more at this level.

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho would have the resources necessary to sanction a move for Gotze, but the question is whether the reigning Bundesliga champions would be willing to let their star leave.

The 23-year-old's current contract runs until 2017, but the German giants may consider a sale if they feel there's a risk the midfielder will seek to run that deal down in pursuit of an exit.

Italian newspaper Tuttosport, via James Benge of the London Evening Standard, reports Juventus as being interested in Blues playmaker Oscar, who occupies the attacking role Gotze would seem most suited for.

Mourinho has a wealth of creative talent at his disposal, but it's likely the west London outfit would have to free up some space in their squad before bringing in another player of Gotze's quality.

Izzy Brown Poised for Vitesse Loan

Chelsea up-and-comer Izzy Brown will follow fellow Blues team-mate Lewis Baker by joining Eredivisie club Vitesse on loan this summer.

According to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, the England under-19 international will spend the 2015/16 season in the Netherlands, as he looks to earn more first-team experience.

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Brown made his senior Chelsea debut on May 18 in a 3-0 win over former club West Brom, having captained the club's under-19 team to victory in the UEFA Youth League earlier in the campaign.

As Chelsea writer Jake Cohen points out, he will join a long list of Chelsea youngsters who have spent portions of their career in Arnhem due to the clubs' partnership:

As Cohen mentions, Brazilian prodigy Nathan is also expected to move to Vitesse on a temporary deal, with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, via 101GreatGoals, reporting that loan as being done.

Brown has made steady strides through Chelsea's youth setup since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2013, but the opportunity to receive regular playing time at this point in his career seems too good to pass up.

Last season, the Blues loaned Josh McEachran, Wallace and Bertrand Traore to Vitesse, and another raft of the club's prospects are in line for Eredivisie action this coming season.

Mourinho will track Brown's progress in Holland with interest, as the 18-year-old looks to make an impression in the hopes he can cut out a future for himself at Stamford Bridge.