Chelsea have reportedly offered Fernando Torres to Napoli as bait in an attempt to sign Uruguay international Edinson Cavani.
The Blues have long been linked with a move for the forward, who scored 29 goals in 34 league appearances during the 2012/13 campaign – the best record in Serie A.
Torres, who was Chelsea’s top scorer in all competitions last season, has been linked with a move to Naples following their appointment of former Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez, so the rumours of the Spanish international potentially being used as a makeweight in a deal to sign Cavani are unsurprising.
However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has insisted that prize asset will not be allowed to leave unless his buyout clause of £53 million is met.
Meanwhile, reports in Spain claim that Juan Mata is a target for Barcelona, who are considering making their own player plus cash offer.
According to El Econmista, the La Liga champions are preparing an offer of around £17 million plus Alexis Sanchez for Mata, who was recently named Chelsea’s player of the year.
Finally, Ashley Cole will captain England for this evening’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley.
The left back recently became only the seventh player to reach 100 caps for England.