Chelsea are on top of the Barclays Premier League table, but the Blues are reportedly looking to bolster their lineup before the end of this month to improve their chances of winning the league title this season.
Sources told ESPN that Chelsea are monitoring the status of Fiorentina midfielder Juan Cuadrado. The Blues will reportedly make a strong bid to acquire Cuadrado if either Andre Shcurrle or Mohamed Salah decides to move to another team before the end of the January transfer window.
Cuadrado has been a hot commodity over the past several months after having an impressive performance for Colombia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was linked to a move out of Fiorentina, but the 26-year-old ended all talks about his future when he signed a lucrative five-year deal in October last year.
According to Express UK, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has already inquired about the availability of Cuadrado, who reportedly has a hefty £26.8 million buyout clause.
Acquiring the Fiorentina midfielder will be easier said than done for the Chelsea, though, as several teams are also eyeing Cuadrado. Sources named Manchester City as another potential destination for the Colombia international, while AS Roma are also eyeing a loan deal with the option of buying him permanently.
Mourinho recently said that he is happy with the squad that he has this season, but conceded that he is still open to making changes if it would improve their chances of winning the Premier League title.
"I am happy with the squad, it is not big, but we have a good group, not just a group to play but to live together," Mourinho told ESPN. "I will happy if nobody leaves or comes this month but the market is open and you never know. I do not want to lie to you."
The Chelsea boss also admitted that he might let go of Salah before the transfer window closes, but he insisted that he will only make such move if he will be allowed to buy a worthy replacement.
"For Salah to leave, someone has to come, and I don't think we are going to let Salah go on loan and then spend some money to bring somebody else in," Mourinho added. "So I don't think so, unless my club comes to me and says Salah goes on loan and we are going to buy a 50 million-pound player."
