Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Juan Cuadrado and Thiago Maia Rumours

AC Milan are interested in taking Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado to the San Siro and wish to initiate discussions with Antonio Conte for the transfer of the Colombia international. 

Milan coach Vincenzo Montella previously managed the player during their stint at Fiorentina, and now he wants the wide attacker to follow him to the Rossoneri, according to the London Evening Standard.

Milan want Cuadrado on a season-long loan, initially paying £8.5 million followed by a final instalment of £15 million next summer. Director of football Adriano Galliani could soon travel to west London to broker the deal at Stamford Bridge.

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However, Conte has spoken positively about the player, who spent last season on loan at Juventus, winning the Serie A title in the process.

The Chelsea manager said, according to the London Evening Standard:

"

In my idea of football I love the role of the winger when doing a one-v-one.

Cuadrado is one of these.

I am pleased to train him and when [against Liverpool] you can have a substitution of Cuadrado and Pedro to replace Willian and [Victor] Moses, it is good for Chelsea.

Cuadrado is a Chelsea player and I hope he remains one.

"

The attacker has shown the most consistent form of his club career in Italy's top flight, and WhoScored.com recently illustrated what an elite asset he's proved to be in Serie A, comparing the midfielder to Paul Pogba:

Video blogger and Blues supporter George Benson also heaped praise on the Colombian after solid displays during Chelsea's recent fitness-building activities in pre-season, highlighting his and Eden Hazard's performance levels against Real Madrid:

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In other news, as one South American potentially departs the Blues, another may be on his way to Chelsea after reports said Conte wants burgeoning Brazil talent Thiago Maia.

Yahoo's Jorge Nicola (h/t Richard Amofa and Harry Yorke of the Telegraph) reported Conte is eyeing the Santos teenager, who will represent Brazil in the forthcoming Olympic Games. Maia is committed to his club until 2019, but his agent Kia Joorabchian is trying to secure a £15 million price tag for the youngster.

Here is the player in action for Santos:

The midfielder has the stage to impress in the following weeks, as he'll have the chance to perform on the football pitches of his homeland, with Neymar present in the squad.

However, Conte currently needs experience and economy in the centre of the park, and the Brazilian isn't a budget option for a relatively unknown quantity.

Cuadrado could experience a renaissance under Conte if he can secure minutes under the new Chelsea boss, and his lack of success playing for former manager Jose Mourinho was a shock.

The Colombian is a versatile talent and will offer Conte an array of service if the Blues can convince the player he has a future in the Premier League.