Chelsea Transfer News: Edinson Cavani, Radamel Falcao, Lionel Messi, Top Rumours

Edinson Cavani wants a move to Chelsea next summer, as Radamel Falcao is set to be shown the Stamford Bridge exit in January. 

Spanish football website Fichajes.net (h/t Metro) said the Blues have "convinced" the Uruguayan to switch from Paris Saint-Germain, crossing the English Channel to move to London. 

Cavani is due to take Falcao's striking berth at the club, as Duncan Castles of ONE World Sports reported the Colombian could be shipped out to join former Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas at Zenit Saint Petersburg after the coach previously failed to convince the striker to move to Russia:

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In the summer transfer window, Villas-Boas sought to persuade Falcao that Zenit would be an ideal environment for him to recover his free scoring ways following a traumatic season under Louis van Gaal at Manchester United. The 29-year-old instead elected to take a second chance to prove himself in the Premier League by moving to Chelsea on a year's loan.

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Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Cavani would offer Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho the additional firepower he needs next season. The player is valued at around the £32 million mark, according to Fichajes. This is well within owner Roman Abramovich's spending capabilities. 

However, the future of the Special One is in doubt with Chelsea's form lying in the gutter after yet another Premier League defeat at the weekend at the hands of West Ham. The fall mirrors that of Borussia Dortmund last season—that saw manager Jurgen Klopp exit one of the safest jobs in Europe, though he resigned—and Mourinho might duplicate this shock with the English champions. 

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

Cavani's form has improved since last Christmas after playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovich for many months. 

French football journalist Julien Laurens highlighted the striker's golden touch recently:

Falcao has certainly not been to blame for the recent shambolic showing from Chelsea, but his addition was mistimed by Mourinho, who took a gamble on a player who couldn't cut it at Manchester United. 

The Premier League is a tough challenge for the fittest of players, and Falcao's previous knee injury has affected his form, speed and confidence. The 29-year-old has scored just once in eight league games, per WhoScored.com.

Castles further elaborated on El Tigre's move to west London, and said the decision to sign the superstar was a "compromise" by the Blues manager:

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Questions have been raised about Falcao's recovery from the cruciate ligament surgery that ended the center forward's debut season at AS Monaco and prevented him from representing Colombia at the 2014 World Cup. It is understood that Mourinho's decision to sign Falcao as a replacement for Didier Drogba was a compromise made by the Chelsea manager when the club declined to provide the necessary funds to recruit a new striker on a full transfer.

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Matilde Campodonico/Associated Press

Falcao's time in England is at an end, and it's a shame the Premier League crowds didn't get to see the best from one of the world's top strikers of the past decade. 

Russia will be a step down for the Colombian hero, but it is a necessary move for him to get additional playing time, and inject confidence into his compromised frame. 

Messi Not Joining Chelsea

Barcelona supremo Josep Maria Bartomeu has slammed suggestions Lionel Messi could move to Chelsea, or one of their rivals, in the summer.

The Sun (h/t Marc Williams of the Daily Star) said the Argentina icon was ready to move to England at the end of the campaign, but the Blaugrana president has dismissed such rumours as "embarrassing."

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People who say Messi is leaving Barcelona should be embarrassed.

Messi is recovering for the Madrid-Barcelona game. He is hoping to play El Clasico, but injuries have their process.

Leo and his father said they don't imagine playing at another club. The relationship with the family is very good.

We are not in the negotiation phase yet, when the time comes it will be presented.

He has a contract for the next three seasons.

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Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Messi has missed part of the current season through injury, but the rumours of an English adventure always seemed unlikely.

Despite Messi being off the menu, Cavani is a credible name to be linked with the Blues as they try to remould their attack. 

Eden Hazard is now a target for Real Madrid, according to Paul Hetherington in the Daily Star Sunday. Cavani has the ability to play to the left of the attack if the Belgian exits. 

However, it is Mourinho's future that has Blues fans concerned, and if Cavani arrives next season he could be playing for yet another different Chelsea coach.