CHELSEA TRANSFER RUMOURS: Cavani, Falcao, Moses and Azpilicueta Involved In Latest Speculation
Chelsea may have already added £60 million of talent to their Champions-League winning squad this summer, but the club have confirmed that they are still looking to strengthen their ranks before the start of the season.
With Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Oscar signed up, Chelsea look set to challenge for glory both at home and in Europe. According to the Blues' chief executive Ron Gourlay, owner Roman Abramovich's checkbook won't be gathering dust, however.
"If the right players become available at the right time we will sign them," Gourlay said, according to the Daily Mail. "We've done that and we are still continuing to look at one or two positions and we will see how that develops over the next couple of weeks.'
One position that Chelsea are likely still looking to fill is striker. Didier Drogba departed the club earlier this summer and manager Roberto Di Matteo is believed to want a reliable alternative to the misfiring Fernando Torres and still-raw Romelu Lukaku.
The Mail speculates that two names being looked at are South American duo Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao.
Colombian Falcao has been one of the most feared front men in European football in the past two years as he has led first Porto and then Atletico Madrid to Europa League glory in successive seasons. It will take a significant offer to prize Falcao away from Atletico, having been signed only a year ago for €40 million.
Cavani's name has been linked to Chelsea for much of the summer. Like Falcao, the Uruguayan has emerged as a real force in the past 24 months and even scored against Chelsea in last season's Champions League.
The Daily Express reports that the Blues are in negotiations with Napoli to sign Cavani for £32 million. Stories have emerged in recent weeks that the 25-year-old may be open to departing Naples this summer.
Chelsea also appear intent on strengthening the right side of their defense for next season. With the departure of Jose Bosingwa and Branislav Ivanovic viewed as a more natural center-back, Di Matteo is thought to be eager to welcome an established right-back to similar defensive and offensive capabilities as those provided by Ashley Cole on the other flank.
Currently top of that list, according to reports is Marseille's Cesar Azpilicueta. The 22-year-old is a member of the Spanish squad that suffered a shock elimination from the preliminary round of the London Olympics.
The Express reports that an £8 million deal is now being discussed between the clubs.
Despite the attacking talent already added during the close season, Chelsea have also been actively pursuing Wigan's wide man Victor Moses. The 21-year-old has just a year remaining on his contract with the Latics, but Wigan have so far rejected a series of bids, the last of which is thought to have been £6 million. Wigan are thought to be holding out for their ambitious valuation of £10 million, although the Express claims that a deal may be done for £7 million.
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