Stamford Bridge side ready to spend big to bring in world-class trio.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has been handed a massive transfer fund injection by Blues owner Roman Abramovich and the Stamford Bridge manager has set his sights on an impressive trio he hopes will significantly improve his side’s chances of securing major honours.
CaughtOffside understands that Mourinho will put in a £45m offer for number one target Wayne Rooney, having failed with two previous offers for the Old Trafford striker.
Mourinho is desperate to bring in the 27 year old to spearhead his Chelsea attack and will look to bring in the England man sooner rather than later, despite publicly stating that he will wait until the last minute of the transfer window if he has to.
The former Real Madrid boss wants his side to hit the ground running and wants Rooney on board as early as possible, not least because the Man United man hasn’t played all that much during the pre-season period due to a break-down in his relationship with his Old Trafford employers.
Rooney has told his team-mates that he wants a move to Chelsea and it’s hard to see how the striker would force his way back into the Man United first-team set-up after seemingly burning many bridges with his attitude and comments in recent weeks, as well as his original plea to leave the club at the tail end of last term.
Mourinho will offer Rooney the chance to ply his trade in a central striking role, a position the Man United man saw taken by Robin Van Persie last term, leaving the former Everton man in a more withdrawn role.
Rooney is Man United’s fourth highest goal-scorer of all time having netted 197 goals in 401 appearances and should Mourinho successfully bring in the Premier League marksman then he will look to offload Fernando Torres.
Mourinho will look to conduct a Bernabeu raid with a move for left wing-back Fabio Coentrao to act as a long term replacement for veteran English defender Ashley Cole.
The Chelsea boss is ready to offer as much as £18m for a player that Carlo Ancelotti is happy to listen to offers for, Tottenham are also said to be interested in the former Benfica man but have thus far only offered to spend £13m on the 25 year old.
Coentrao has had an up and down time of it since making a big money move to the Spanish capital, signed by Mourinho in July 2011, and could be tempted to reunite with his former manager and a fresh challenge in West London.
The attack minded wide-man could well be an ideal replacement to replace 32 year old Cole who signed a one year contract extension at the end of last season.
Mourinho will also look to lure German defensive midfielder Sami Khedira this summer, another player Real Madrid could consider offers for as they look to balance the books ahead of a probable big money bid for Tottenham winger Gareth Bale.
Mourinho has informed his former employers about his interest in the tough tackling 26 year old and Real Madrid have already lined up a move to bring in Sevilla youngster Geoffrey Kondogbia as a replacement for the former Stuttgart man and it should be noted that the La Liga giants have already brought in Spanish international Asier Illarramendi, a move that could already call into question Khedira’s future at the club.
Mourinho may feel that Khedira is a better ‘enforcer’ option than current Blues first choice in this position, namely John Obi Mikel, who has been linked with a number of interested parties this summer including Galatasaray and Monaco.
Prior to his move to Spain Khedira helped his Stuttgart side to a Bundesliga title and the powerful midfielder has made 126 appearances for Real Madrid in three seasons and has 39 national team caps to his name.
Chelsea are ready to offer around £24m for the 26 year old.