12 Jun 2014 17:53:38
Ed, why on your post did you have Di Maria as a more likely signing than say Sanchez or Pedro? I had always assumed Di Maria was a dream that would never come true and Sanchez was a realistic option

{Ed002's Note - I do not know if they have yet submitted a bid but Arsenal, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all interested in Di Maria. There has been an offer from Monaco and an rejected PSG offer, although they may well return with another offer. If he cannot stay at Real Madrid, the player would not object to a move to Italy should the opportunity arise and Juventus may give him that opportunity, perhaps as part of a package deal that could see players being exchanged. If not, he would be beyond the means of Juventus without them selling either of their prized assets. Madrid seem keen to hang on to him but Jorge Mendes has been looking for a deal for the player and has persuaded Real Madrid to provide a price at which they would sell him. He is however in danger of pricing him out of the market with some pretty outrageous wage demands.

There has been in Sanchez interest from Manchester United, Juventus and Arsenal. Barcelona will be willing to let Sanchez move on and would be open to using him in a player exchange deal. There have been discussions Juventus in respect of Sanchez and there is no secret that his agent has confirmed that they would be willing to meet the terms that the player desires. However, they are far from agreeing a figure with Barcelona for the sale - very far indeed. Barcelona will be willing to let Sanchez move on for a very significant fee or would be open to using him in a player exchange deal. Barcelona were looking to replace Fabregas with Vidal and were looking to that as an option whilst there is such a difference between what is being asked and what is being offered. However, with talks dragging on and Juventus wanting to keep Vidal their attention shifted from Vidal to Koke and then to Rakitic. Juventus has returned to talk with Barcelona on June 10 and have made it clear to Sanchez that they will keep Vidal but they still need to sort out the financial issue somehow - and this means they will sacrifice Pogba in order to get Sanchez and keep Vidal.

Barcelona will listen to significant offers for Pedro. Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are known to have enquired with his agent in recent months. PSG has spoken with Barcelona about the player last summer and in January. So there is really very little right now. It would not be a surprise to see interest from Liverpool if Suarez were to leave.}

1.) 12 Jun 2014
Thanks Ed, still sounds like Di Maria will not be possible but I'd really really like him

2.) 12 Jun 2014
I was unaware that Mendes was Di Maria's agent. Now that we know that, I strongly feel that there is no chance that we'll ever sign Di Maria due to Mendes' ridiculously strong ties with Mourinho.
Mourinho would never allow Mendes to sell a player, on his books & of such calibure to a close rival of Chelsea's.
Having recently read "The Special One" by Diego Torres, my complete view on Mourinho and the actual power that the Gestifute Group hold has been blown away. The close ties between the pair, continously being compared to a brotherhood, would never allow such a move which would cause possible competition for Mourinho's Chelsea.
Just my opinion though, I'd be happy with Balotelli, Khedira, Aurier & Ruffier as final signings. Throw Remy in aswell and hopefully TV5 stays.