Chelsea Transfer News: Mega Gonzalo Higuain Move Tipped in Latest Rumours

Chelsea have been put “on alert” after reports emerged suggesting the Blues are keen on Napoli’s want-away striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Charles Perrin of the Daily Express cited Fichajes.net, which claims Higuain has grown tired of life in Naples and has subsequently “signalled his desire to leave.” Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are all keeping tabs on the Argentina international’s situation.

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It’d be a major surprise should a deal get done by the Blues. Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe took a look at some more realistic transfer business manager Jose Mourinho might conduct this summer:

A transfer for the ex-Real Madrid man may seem plausible at first glance. After all, he’s firmly established as one of the best finishers in the game, but with Napoli failing to qualify for the Champions League in 2015-16, Higuain will be unable to showcase his obvious talents at the very highest level.

As we can see here courtesy of OptaPaolo, the striker has been the most consistent goalscorer in Serie A since he signed for the Partenopei in the summer of 2013:

But with Napoli reportedly unwilling to negotiate a deal less than Higuain’s release clause—which according to Perrin, stands at a staggering £66 million—any sale looks unlikely. Especially to Chelsea.

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Granted, Mourinho worked with Higuain at Real Madrid and the prospect of joining a team like the Blues will be a tantalising one. But with Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao already in situ for a team which primarily operates with a solitary striker, there’s no way Jose will be looking to spend such a substantial amount on a back-up centre-forward.

Chelsea Chasing Gregory van der Wiel

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After a brittle defensive display on the opening day of the Premier League season, Mourinho may move to add further reinforcements to his side at the back, with reports suggesting Chelsea will make an offer to Paris Saint-Germain defender Gregory van der Wiel.

That’s according to Le Parisien (h/t Will Giles of Metro) which claim that the French champions are ready to part ways with the Dutch international and the Blues have already approached the player over a potential switch.

Here’s a look at what he could offer should a move to Stamford Bridge materialise:

When Van der Wiel signed for PSG from Ajax in the summer of 2012, many expected him to kick on and become one of the best full-backs on the continent. But his development has been stunted by problems with form, fitness and an apparent lack of trust from manager Laurent Blanc.

Sport Witness think that if the Blues are targeting a player to provide competition to the right-back slot’s current incumbent, Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea should look elsewhere:

Indeed, Van der Wiel doesn’t initially strike as a player who adheres to the Mourinho blueprint. He’s a dynamic option who excels getting forward. While these traits are typically pre-requisites for the modern full-back, Mourinho looks for defenders to possess defensive instincts as a priority. The Dutchman doesn’t really possess those kinds of qualities.

Now 27 years old, there’s no denying a move may reinvigorate a player who has lost his way at the Parc des Princes. But given Mourinho’s strict selection criteria when it comes to defensive players, any move for Van der Wiel would come as a big shock.