Chelsea Transfer News: Luis Muriel Price Discussed Amid Latest Blues Rumours

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has warned Chelsea and Napoli that Luis Muriel is only available if they meet his £30.9 million release clause, as per Radio Crc (h/t TalkSport).

The 25-year-old Colombian striker has been in fine goalscoring form so far this season, netting four times in 12 games to spark rumours of a move away from the Italian club. Chelsea and Napoli are reportedly keen on winning his signature.

However, Ferrero has not yet received any contact from the clubs and does not want his star player to leave Sampdoria, telling Radio Crc:

"

Aurelio [De Laurentiis, the Napoli president] hasn't called me for Muriel because the player is not for sale.

At the moment I'll hold on tight to him and stay calm given that De Laurentiis hasn't called me. 

To think, when Muriel wasn't playing they wanted to give me €15 million for him, when I paid €12 million, but I said no. Muriel has a clause of €35 million (£30.9 million).

"

Antonio Conte appeared to be in the market for a striker in the summer transfer window, but with Romelu Lukaku unavailable and Alvaro Morata rejoining Real Madrid from Juventus, he abandoned his pursuit toward the end of August, as per Matt Law of the Telegraph.

The Italian’s preference for a 3-5-2 formation while in charge of Italy and Juventus perhaps explained his interest in adding another striker to the squad following Michy Batshuayi’s arrival on July 3. However, Chelsea have found their rhythm in a one-striker formation, with Diego Costa leading the line and topping the Premier League goalscoring charts:

Pursuing a striker seems like a peculiar priority for Conte, so Muriel's inflated price tag might be enough to prevent them from making a bid.

The news could be a blessing in disguise given that Chelsea have an abundance of young attacking talent on loan at other clubs. Nineteen-year-old Tammy Abraham has scored nine goals in 16 games for Bristol City in the Championship this season and should be ready for first-team action at Stamford Bridge soon.

If Muriel is no longer considered an option, then Lukaku may become a primary target once again. Everton manager Ronald Koeman admitted that the 23-year-old will need to leave the club in the near future.

"His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination," Koeman said, per Belgian newspaper HLN (h/t BBC Sport).

Lukaku has scored seven Premier League goals this season, and Chelsea were targeting him during the summer window, as per Law. Now Muriel is no longer a relatively cheap option in comparison to the Everton man, the latter may be back on the Blues' radar.

It looks as though Chelsea's attempts to sign a striker have been thwarted once again, although judging by their recent form, Conte doesn’t need any reinforcements in January.

Muriel looks like he is staying at Sampdoria, at least for now.