Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Elite Players Linked with Blues Move

Chelsea scouts have reportedly been watching the undisputed king of the transfer rumour mill, Paul Pogba, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Tom Sheen of the Independent).

The Frenchman has been linked every which way over the past few transfer windows, with the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United all vying to break the bank to secure his services.

Sheen wrote that scouts and players from Stamford Bridge were in the stands at the San Siro to watch Juventus in Coppa Italia action against Inter Milan on Wednesday, although Pogba only came on for the last five minutes of normal time in a 3-0 defeat for the Old Lady.

The former Manchester United midfielder did find the net from the spot in the penalty shootout to send his side to the final, yet his performance wasn’t exactly enough for scouts to tell the Chelsea powers that be to hand Juventus a blank cheque.

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Still, the football world knows exactly what Pogba is about. He’s a powerful, attack-minded midfielder who has the ability to turn a game on its head in the blink of an eye. The torrential rumours may be a tad frustrating, but they prove just how highly sought-after the 22-year-old is.

It’s luring him to Stamford Bridge that’s the tricky part, though.

Chelsea reportedly tabled a bid for Pogba at the end of the 2014/15 season, yet Juventus’ astronomical valuation of the player (£70 million) meant they came up a little short.

However, it seems the Blues have a plan up their sleeves. According to Sky Sports Football, rumours have emerged that Chelsea plan to use Nemanja Matic as bait in their bid to get Pogba to west London:

The Premier League champions would have to stump up some cash on top to give Juventus something to think about, although signing a player of Matic’s quality and getting a healthy pay day at the same time would be enough to tempt many teams.

Pogba is one of the most wanted players in football, but until you see him proudly holding another team’s shirt aloft, it’s best to think he’ll be staying put with the Serie A champions.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are reportedly in the hunt to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, per Corriere dello Sport (via Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star).

Icardi has been in sensational form for the Serie A side this term, and his lethal touch in front of goal hasn’t gone unnoticed.

However, the man himself told Inter Channel he wants to stay in Milan and enjoy success, per Malata: "I've had a few offers but I want to stay here and lift trophies with this club. I'm the captain and I want to achieve great things with Inter."

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

Chelsea’s squad isn’t one you’d say needs a complete overhaul, but the Blues desperately need more quality in depth.

Signing such quality could depend on whether Guus Hiddink can guide his side to Champions League football next term; based on their current form—they're unbeaten domestically since he took charge in December—it’s certainly possible.