Chelsea Transfer News: Cavani, Rooney, Gomez And Jovetic Linked In Mourinho’s Striker Search

Jose Mourinho was officially unveiled as Chelsea manager on Monday, but plans are already well underway to boost the squad’s attacking options for the upcoming season. Mourinho has reportedly persuaded Romelu Lukaku that his immediate future lies at Stamford Bridge, rather than with another loan move, yet signing a top level forward appears to be one of the Portuguese’s priorities in the first few weeks of his second spell in charge.

High on the club’s list of targets looks to be Napoli striker Edinson Cavani. Chelsea’s interest in signing the Uruguayan has been confirmed by the Italian club’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis. “Chelsea are interested in Cavani and they will call me soon," he said, according to the Guardian. "I'm very happy that his brother [and agent] has said that he will stay, but if he did decide to go to Chelsea, we would take time out to think and replace him with people worthy of replacing him.”

Cavani, though, has revealed that he would relish the opportunity to play for either Chelsea or fellow suitors Manchester City. "I don't know if they made an offer for me, I just know that to be coached by someone like Manuel Pellegrini or Jose Mourinho would always be a pleasure. And when the time is right it would be great to play for one of these teams, because when I was a child I imagined doing it -- but now I am only thinking about Uruguay. In my career I have always had to deal with rumors of me signing for another team and I just have to keep my feet on the ground."

The 26-year-old was also asked about working with new Napoli boss Rafael Benitez and sounded less than certain about his future. "I don't know, I think there are other factors that could change my future,” he explained. “I have a contract with Napoli but on the other hand there are some conversations but everything is uncertain at the moment.”

With Napoli refusing to consider offers below Cavani’s €63 million (£53.6m) buyout clause, Chelsea may be forced to consider other options. The Sunday Times has reported that their favored alternative is Bayern Munich front man Mario Gomez. A prolific scorer for club and country, the Germany international looks set to leave the treble winners, having lost his place in the side last season to Mario Mandzukic.

Chelsea also appear to have an eye on the continued uncertainty over Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United future. There has yet to be any comment from new United manager David Moyes on Rooney’s situation, but Arsenal have been linked to the 27-year-old. And if United were prepared to listen to offers for Rooney, Chelsea would make sure that Arsenal were not the only club bidding for his signature, according to the Independent.

Chelsea are also reportedly rivaling Arsenal for Fiorentina forward Stevan Jovetic. With Juventus also strongly pursuing the Montenegro international, he has now confirmed that he wants a new challenge this summer.

"I've been at Fiorentina in 2008, five very intense seasons," Jovetic told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I really feel like I've given everything. I'm young and ambitious and it is normal to feel the need to test myself elsewhere. I do not think there's anything wrong with desire.

"Florence and la Viola fans have always asked me to be up front: so here it is: I need stimulation elsewhere, I need to devote myself in a top club,” he added. “I've played in Europe with Fiorentina, now I want to win in Europe."

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