The list of players Chelsea want is long – Hulk, Oscar dos Santos, Victor Moses, Willian, Andre Schurrle. The common denominator? All the bids for these players have been rejected so far, making it hard to keep track of who Chelsea are really after and what’s the priority.
Chelsea have completed two signings so far this summer – Marko Marin from Werder Bremen, a deal that was already agreed upon in April, and Eden Hazard, who was closer to Manchester City at some point but apparently, they didn’t meet his wage demands, landing the talented Belgian winger at Stamford Bridge.
And from the moves Chelsea are trying to make, they’re constantly thinking attack. Hulk was the first name, even before the beginning of the Euro. Porto’s insane demands for their Brazilian forward were bound to change, and it looked like a Chelsea bid of £35 million or a bit higher would be enough to to sign the 26 year old who has scored 52 league goals in his four seasons with the Portuguese champions. Apparently not, and currently there aren’t any talks to speak of.
Chelsea have been persistent with the English-Nigerian Wigan forward, Victor Moses, who had somewhat of a breakthrough season in 2011-2012, scoring six goals and adding six assists in another survival tale for Roberto Martinez’ lads, who always manage to stay another year in the Premier League. Chelsea have made three offers for Moses in the last three weeks, seeing all of them rejected by Wigan boss, Dave Whelan.
It’s not that Moses isn’t for sale, but Wigan are hoping to see an eight-figure sum drawn up in the Chelsea check book, which will probably convince them to let him go. Meanwhile, they’re working on extending the 21 year old’s contract, who chose to play for the Nigerian national team after being a part of the English international youth setup since he was 15.
Oscar dos Santos from Internacional is another never ending story with conflicting reports. It was first reported that the 20 year old Brazilian international was already on his way to London, but that was only on the plane to the Olympics. Chelsea’s bid of €25 million apparently isn’t enough, as the Brazilian club are looking to make Oscar the most expensive signing out of the Brasilerao. Reports of him getting closer are back on track, but Roberto Di Matteo, for example, hasn’t offered much information.
Another young Brazilian who Chelsea had their sights set on is Willian, a 23 year old attacking midfielder/winger from Shakhtar Donetsk. According to Shakhtar’s manager, Mircea Lucescu, Chelsea offered £26 million for the player, but that isn’t enough. According to Lucescu, Shakhtar are willing to listen to offers, but they value Willian as one of the best youngsters in the world, even better than Hazard, and expect to see a better offer from any club interested in him.
Last but not least is someone who’s pretty much a final no, Andre Schurrle from Leverkusen. Chelsea offered €20 for the young German winger but were rejected twice by Rudi Voller, who explained that for that kind of money, they wouldn’t be able to find a suitable replacement. Chelsea do look promising going into next season, chasing both the league title and defending their Champions League trophy, but both in the club and out of it the feeling is that they’re going to need at least one more impressive signing.