Chelsea are preparing a A?26.8m move for Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado
Chelsea are launching a bid to sign Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina as they anticipate losing either Andre Schurrle or Mohamed Salah. Cuadrado, a Colombia international winger, has a release clause of A?26.8million and Fiorentina do not wish to negotiate for less. Jose Mourinho knows Schurrle and Salah both want to leave as they grow frustrated with their lack of regular game time but he will not authorise the sales without bringing another player in. Schurrle is wanted by Wolfsburg and is keen to leave Chelsea. Salah has also been linked with a move away from the club with Roma and Inter Milan both interested.
Fiorentina have cut short the loan of Chelseaa s Marko Marin, who joined Anderlecht on Tuesday, and have asked about Salah themselves though the Egyptian favours a move to Roma. Chelsea are also awaiting a A?23million offer from Wolfsburg for Schurrle but are holding out for a A?30m fee for the 24-year-old German. Mourinho was keen on the 26-year-old Cuadrado while Barcelona and Manchester United were linked with him last summer before they realised they could sign Angel di Maria. Cuadrado can play on either flank and can also operate as a wing-back. Although he has not been in the best of form this season, he has experience, good pace and works for his team. He finished the World Cup alongside Toni Kroos with the most assists.
The Blues have had interest from Italy’s Roma and Besiktas of Turkey in signing Mohamed Salah while German clubs Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverksen are keen on Andre Schurrle. Should those players leave, then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho could move for 26-year-old Cuadrado, who is understood to be ready for a move to a bigger club. Schurrle has insisted he is ready to fight for his first-team place at Stamford Bridge but has been subbed on a number of occasions this season after failing to impress Mourinho. And, after making just seven appearances for Chelsea since snubbing interest from Liverpool to join last winter, ex-Basel star Salah is ready to cut his losses in search of first-team football elsewhere.
Jose Mourinho seems to have targeted the right side of the front three behind Diego Costa as one the positions they want to strengthen. Colombia international Cuadrado is able to play as a winger and at full-back. For his part, Cuadrado is known to feel it is time to move to a higher level, having been pursued by both Manchester United and Barcelona last summer after his fine performances for Colombia in the World Cup.