Chelsea Transfer News: Higuain, Cavani, Matic And Mangala Discussed In Latest Speculation

Chelsea are poised to complete the first signing of the Jose Mourinho era with the long-awaited capture of Andre Schurrle. However, the securing of a central striker continues to be a priority. The Blues have made a further offer for Edinson Cavani, while the player is also in talks with Manchester City and Real Madrid, according to the Napoli striker’s mother. Yet, it appears that Napoli’s asking price continues to be problematic for the Blues. Cavani has revealed that he would be happy to join either Chelsea or City, while casting doubt about a move to Spain, and there is little doubts that a transfer is a possibility this summer.

“Edi is in talks with Real Madrid and Manchester City,” his mother told a radio station in Montevideo, according to Marca. "He'll decide where he's going in two weeks. Napoli will always be in my heart. The Napoli president talked to us about an offer from Chelsea, but there is nothing certain yet.”

Chelsea are believed to have had an offer of €40 million (£34m) plus Fernando Torres rejected for the Uruguayan. And CNN and Gazzetta dello Sport correspondent Tancredi Palmeri reported on Thursday that Chelsea have made a new bid of €50 million (€42.5m), but that Napoli have also knocked it back. The Serie A side’s president Aurelio de Laurentiis has consistently claimed that Cavani will not leave for less than his €63 million (£53.5m) buyout clause.

As a result of that lofty asking price, Chelsea are believed to have a number of alternatives in mind as Mourinho looks to recruit a top class striker to lead the line next season. Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic and Borussia Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski are both reported to be under consideration, while they have also now been linked with a move for Gonzalo Higuain.

The Real Madrid striker has apparently held talks with both Arsenal and Juventus after stating his desire to leave the Bernabeu this summer. And Spanish radio station Cadena Cope claims that Mourinho wants to linkup once more with the Argentina international. Given Mourinho’s poor relationship with much of his former Madrid squad, a move to Chelsea would appear unlikely, although it is said that Higuain was on good terms with the Portuguese.

It was also believed that Mourinho wanted to bring midfielder Nemanja Matic back to Stamford Bridge. The Serbia international left Chelsea for Benfica in 2011 and has just enjoyed a fine season in Portugal. But the 24-year-old has no intention of departing Lisbon just yet.

"Frankly, I want to stay another year in Lisbon," Matic said, according to the Guardian. "Of course, someone like José Mourinho wanting me to go back to London would be an opportunity to prove that I can play in the Premier League, but I want to achieve more at Benfica, particularly in the big games."

Another Chelsea target has also revealed that he is happy to remain in Portugal, though was less concrete in his denial of transfer speculation. Porto center-back Eliaquim Mangala has been linked with both Chelsea and Manchester United, but explained that is not overly concerned with what the future holds.

"I not am preoccupied about my future," the 22-year-old said, according to Sky Sports. "There have been many rumors in the papers in the last few days, but I am very calm. My objective is to work each day and to progress in my club. I am only thinking about to follow up for Porto the next season. I was also very happy with my debut for France, my dream is to play in the World Cup 2014."

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