Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has confirmed that there has been contact between the Serie A club and Chelsea over the potential signing of Fredy Guarin, but no deal has been agreed.
According to the Mirror the Blues will have to cough up £15 million if they want to land the midfielder whilst ITV Sport mention that there are a few ridiculous rumours flying around suggesting that Inter would want out-of-favour Chelsea star Juan Mata included in the deal – laughable.
Speaking to Sky Sports Italia, Ausilio said:
“Guarin is an Inter player and we are happy to keep him.
“Denying the contacts with Chelsea would be denying the evidence. It is a source of pride to talk with them about one of our players, but everything stopped there.”
It is interesting that he would use the words ‘happy to keep him’, it almost translates that he is only there because the Stamford Bridge club did not agree with their valuation of the player and may now look elsewhere. It’s also odd to hear a club be so frank in public about a player they do not want to sell, so he’s still on the market to anyone that wants him.
Jose Mourinho has denied that he will be looking to recruit during the transfer window and insists that his current squad is sufficient to attain the goals set for this season but he also told reporters recently that most of what he tells them is lies and if the right player becomes available for the right price then Chelsea will be active, but it may just not be Guarin they’ll be bringing in this winter.
The midfield is definitely an area that Mourinho would like to address as well as at centre forward but I can only see us bringing a new striker in if Demba Ba leaves West London this month.
If Guarin is as good as Hazard than Chelsea should act fast. Pay the £15 asking price and get him off to the Bridge.