Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Juan Cuadrado and Nemanja Matic Exit Rumours

Juan Cuadrado is reportedly hoping to leave Chelsea this summer, with AC Milan waiting in the wings to snap him up on loan. 

According to Calciomercato, the winger's agent, Alessandro Lucci, has travelled to London in an attempt to negotiate his client's exit from Stamford Bridge, with Milan hoping to get him in on loan with an option to buy—should Chelsea sell him outright, it's reported neither the Rossoneri nor Juventus would be able to sign him.

The Colombian spent last season on loan with the Bianconeri, and as reported by Chelsea via Twitter, Blues manager Antonio Conte is evidently hoping to keep him next season:

However, Cuadrado "already misses Italy" and asked his representatives to "convince" the Blues to part with him so he can return to Serie A. 

The 28-year-old has spent the bulk of his career there and does seem to thrive in the country—he was enjoying a successful stint with Fiorentina prior to joining Chelsea and was excellent for champions Juve last year.

Indeed, journalist David Amoyal wondered how the Bianconeri would replace him:

Prior to the loan, he was wholly uninspiring during his half a season at Stamford Bridge in 2014/15, but given his Serie A form, it's easy to see why Conte is hoping to give him another chance.

If Cuadrado does wish to leave, however, it may be best to let him go—he's unlikely to replicate his good form if he's forced to stay against his will.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

In other news, according to the Daily Mail's Matt Barlow, Juve have identified Nemanja Matic as their "top target" to replace Paul Pogba if he leaves.

The Blues have recruited N'Golo Kante this summer but still hope to keep the Serbian, particularly as they're "wary" of having sold him once already before buying him back for big money (Chelsea spent £21 million to re-sign Matic three years after leaving as a makeweight in the David Luiz deal).

Matic would be more than capable of assuming Pogba's defensive duties and is adept at moving through midfield with the ball at his feet, per WhoScored.com:

However, he would hardly be a like-for-like replacement.

Whereas Matic primarily sits back to protect his defence, Pogba looks to get forward. The Frenchman notched 10 goals and 16 assists in all competitions last year to Matic's two apiece.

Barlow also noted the Serie A champions are set to sign Gonzalo Higuain, so his arrival could offset the loss of Pogba's attacking contributions and ensure Matic's inability to match them is irrelevant.

As for Chelsea, while Kante is more than capable of replacing Matic—who was disappointing last season—keeping him would give the Blues some much-needed strength in depth.