10 targets who appear uppermost in Jose Mourinho’s thoughts as his Stamford Bridge side look to mount genuine title pushes on multiple fronts.
10. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)
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Somewhat surprisingly the Gabon international is seen by Jose Mourinho as a possible striking addition to help boost his ailing attack. The move is surprising in as much as the former AC Milan man only moved to the Westfalenstadion a year ago and went on to have a solid first campaign at the club. Surprising also that this source quotes his asking price as being as low as £7m.
One of a host of Atletico Madrid talents said to be on the Stamford Bridge radar and a player who could perhaps leave the Vicente Calderon though it’s not immediately obvious why Jose Mourinho needs another centre-back and if so why he’d target a 30 year old to further supplement his central defensive options.
8. William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)
Chelsea may well be keen to bring in further defensive midfield options given that John Obi Mikel is now something of a bit-part player and David Luiz, who was primarily used by Jose Mourinho in just such a role, has been sold to PSG. 22 year old Portuguese international Carvalho won’t come cheap but could challenge Nemanja Matic for a starting berth.
Former Chelsea man is soon to be out of contract at Atletico Madrid and by all accounts is very likely to return to Stamford Bridge, perhaps Jose Mourinho begrudgingly coming to the conclusion he was wrong to sell the Portuguese box to box performer in the first place. Won’t cost a penny, so why not?
6. Mario Mandzukic (Bayern Munich)
Another option to boost the Chelsea attack and a player with proven top level credentials, and perhaps more importantly, a reason to seek a summer transfer. The Croatian has seen Pep Guardiola opt to bring in Robert Lewandowski on a free transfer and that move may well spell the end of Mandzukic’s Allianz Arena career.
5. Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)
Another centre-back option but a long term prospect that Jose Mourinho not only knows well but clearly respects a great deal. Frenchman has struggled for regular football under Carlo Ancelotti and may jump at the chance to be a long term replacement for John Terry.
German midfielder was brought to the Bernabeu under Jose Mourinho and has seen his chances limited under Ancelotti and with a year to run on his current deal the 27 year old will surely be considering his options. Spent much of last season out with injury but returned towards the end of the campaign to play his part in the club’s Champions League success and has impressed at the World Cup.
3. Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
Seen as a replacement for veteran left-back Ashley Cole and yet another Atletico Madrid player said to be high up on Jose Mourinho’s wish-list. 28 year old Brazilian may feel he has achieved all he can at the Vicente Calderon and will hope a high-profile move would help in his push for a more prominent role at national team level.
French midfielder is arguably the hottest young prospect in world football and is repeatedly linked with a possible move to Stamford Bridge though it’s worth noting that any successful bid for the former Man United man would require Chelsea to smash their own British transfer record.
1. Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)
This is a move that to all intents and purposes has already been completed with most sources claims the Brazilian born Spanish international has even completed a medical with the west London side. A lack of a cutting edge up front arguably cost Chelsea any hope of Premier or Champions League success so Jose Mourinho will hope that the 25 year old can continue the fine run of form that saw the powerful forward net 36 goals in all competitions last term.
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