Chelsea Transfer News: Luis Muriel Interest Reported Amid Latest Blues Rumours

Sampdoria star Luis Muriel will reportedly need to keep improving if he’s to convince Chelsea manager Antonio Conte to sign him. 

According to La Repubblica (h/t Dipesh Agarwal of Sport Witness), the Blues are pondering a possible move for the Colombia international in the summer after his tremendous form this season. However, it’s suggested Conte wants to see Muriel preserve his current standards over the course of the entire campaign if he’s to make a move.

The 25-year-old reportedly has a €28 million (£23.75 million) release clause in his contract, a sum that wouldn’t seem too lofty should he continue his recent performances.

Here’s a look at why there’s so much buzz about Muriel at the moment:

During his time at Udinese, Muriel was rated as one of the best prospects in the game. However, he never quite made the progress anticipated and was eventually sold to Sampdoria in 2015. It’s a move that seems to be bringing the best out of the forward again.

Indeed, Muriel’s performances have been key to the team’s attacking play this season, and, crucially, he’s showcased an extra composure in dangerous areas of the field. In 2016-17 he’s netted six times in Serie A.

David Amoyal of ESPN FC has been impressed with the manner in which Muriel has battled back to his best form:

Meanwhile, Inter Milan sporting director, Piero Ausilio, has dismissed speculation linking the Nerazzurri with a move for Chelsea’s star goalscorer Diego Costa.

“To talk about this is absurd, we already have a very strong centre forward,” he told Premium Sports (h/t Calciomercato) “We will try to evaluate the positions we feel need strengthening.”

Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images

While Costa has been revered for his instincts in front of goal, with 10 in the Premier League already this term, there is far more to his game than sticking the ball in the back of the net.

The burly frontman showed his worth in the final stages of Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur. Costa held the ball up brilliantly, chased into the channels and won cheap free-kicks to take the pressure off his team. At the moment, the former Atletico Madrid man is perhaps the most complete centre-forward in English football.

As these figures from Squawka Football show, Costa is a tremendous foil to Chelsea’s other attacking stars too:

Indeed, under Conte, the striker has rediscovered the form that made him one of the best strikers in world. Costa has harnessed his aggression brilliantly, finding an ideal balance between irking opponents and scoring goals.

IAN KINGTON/Getty Images

The Blues could do with another forward, though. Conte may be utilising a sole striker at this moment in time, but he’s a manager who has favoured 4-2-4, 3-5-2 and 4-4-2 systems in the past. Having that tactical variety and players who can thrive in different positions on the pitch is vital in order to keep the opposition guessing.

Muriel could potentially be that man. The Colombian is clever on the ball, can slalom through challenges and has recently showcased the appetite that’d be needed if he was to thrive in English football. Stability is key, though, and provided he can maintain a high level for the course of the campaign, plenty of clubs will take a look at the forward this summer.