With Mourinho apparently only interested in signing one player this summer, we look at ten possible candidates.
10. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
With Fernando Torres likely to be sold by Mourinho, it seems likely that he will look for a new striker. Marco Reus has been linked with a move to Chelsea at points this season and, although not technically a striker, can play that role well, and may be groomed to that position by Mourinho. The talented German has been one of Dortmund’s best players this season and is one of many being linked with a move away from the club following their defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, and may be keen to link-up with Andre Schurrle, another Bundesliga star who looks to have already been signed by Chelsea.
9. Burak Yilmaz (Galatasaray)
Chelsea and Mourinho have apparently shown a strong interest in Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz. The Turkish goal machine has been on fire this season, catching the eye in the Champions League in particular, with 8 goals in the competition. The 27-year-old has 32 goals in all competitions this season and could be the regular scorer that the Blues so desperately need at the moment. He is understood not to be Mourinho’s first choice, but one that he will consider if he fails to land other targets.
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG)
Mourinho may choose to reunite himself with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, after successfully getting the best out of the tempramental Swede in their time together at Inter Milan. Mourinho’s influence saw Ibrahimovic become more consistent and establish himself as one of the best players in the world. Now at PSG, he has just fired 35 goals to help the French club to the title, but could be on the way out after a bust-up with club director Leonardo. Manchester City have also shown an interest in the 31-year-old, but he could be just the striker Chelsea need, and he would no doubt welcome the chance to work with his old boss again.
7. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund)
The Polish striker just gets better and better, and will no doubt have impressed Jose Mourinho when he fired four goals in Borussia Dortmund’s 4-1 win over the special one’s Real Madrid side in the Champions League semi-finals this season. With 36 goals in total this season, the in-demand Pole looks certain to leave Dortmund this summer and has been linked with Chelsea among other clubs. Although Bayern Munich are thought to be the favourites to land him, a big-money offer from the Blues might manage to persuade him to move to England.
6. Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich)
It has also been rumoured that Chelsea will move for Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez, with the lethal forward inexplicably finding himself down in the pecking order at Bayern this season. The 27-year-old has still shown an eye for goal despite limited appearances, and would surely have no trouble finding the back of the net in the Premier League with his predatory instincs in front of goal. Napoli are also said to be interested as they seek a replacement for the in-demand Edinson Cavani, but Mourinho won’t want to miss out to his old foe Rafael Benitez for a player of this quality.
5. Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid)
As Mourinho leaves Real Madrid, the club have put Gonzalo Higuain up for sale for around £22million. Although not always a regular under Mourinho at the Bernabeu, the Argentine striker could be a good option for him at Chelsea. The 25-year-old is wanted by both Arsenal and Juventus, and his goal-scoring record suggests he deserves more of a chance to be first choice at a big club.
4. Gareth Bale (Tottenham)
If Mourinho is only planning on making one signing this summer, it could be a big one, and Chelsea are the latest club to find themselves linked with Tottenham star Gareth Bale. The 23-year-old has just had his best season in the Premier League, showing he could be used basically as a striker, or be the club’s main souce of goals from a free role in midfield. Mourinho will have to fight off competition from his old club Real Madrid though, as they are reportedly willing to pay as much as £85million for the Welshman. This could be too much money even for Chelsea, but he’s certainly a player worth paying the money for.
3. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
With Wayne Rooney submitting a transfer request at Manchester United, he has attracted interest from big clubs all around Europe and in England. While United will want to keep him, or at least sell him to a foreign club such as Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG, Chelsea have also shown a strong interest in the 27-year-old, as have Manchester City and Arsenal. The England star is something of a wasted talent at Old Trafford, often being played out of position to accommodate others, and Mourinho could find that he’s the perfect answer to his striker problems. What other manager would be better to get a talent like Rooney playing at his best?
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Some stories have suggested that Mourinho will be very daring indeed and look to bring former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo with him from Real Madrid. The most expensive player of all time has been a hit in Spain with 201 goals in 199 appearances for Real, and may be tempted to leave along with Mourinho this summer after a difficult year at the Bernabeu. He is another player who might be slightly out of Chelsea’s price range, with PSG supposedly ready to offer £100million for him this summer, and it would no doubt be controversial to see the United legend playing for their rivals, but the Portuguese manager could arguably not make one bigger signing than this.
1. Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)
Current stories suggest that the one player Mourinho has in mind is Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic. The Montenegro forward has been in fine form for La Viola this season and is wanted by both Arsenal and Juventus. The Serie A side are keen not to sell to an Italian rival, but have come to some disagreement with Arsenal over a fee, meaning Chelsea could swoop in with a £25million offer. Napoli’s Edinson Cavani is supposedly too expensive for Abramovich, with an asking price of £54million, and the Russian owner may not want to risk another big-money signing going wrong in the way that Fernando Torres has since his £50million move from Liverpool. Jovetic would be a cheaper addition, but a signing with great potential at the age of just 23, and one who looks like he would fit in well in the Premier League and with Chelsea’s style of play.