ATTACKING TRIO FACE AXE AT CHELSEA

ABOVE: Fernando Torres could be the first to be sold by Mourinho

Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski is the man Mourinho rates highest of all

15th June 2013

By Jeremy Cross

JOSE MOURINHO wants Chelsea to have completed their summer transfer business within a fortnight. The new Stamford Bridge boss wants to begin pre-season training next month with the players he will have at his disposal for the entire season.

And that means he wants new signings in AND players shipped out by the end of the month, so he can have a week on holiday before linking up with his new-look squad on July 8. Touted Top of his list will be to bring in a new striker, though club officials will have their work cut out in trying to secure a marquee signing in that time.
Borussia Dortmund's Robert Lewandowski is the man Mourinho rates highest of all, but whether the German club want to do business is open to question.
It is likely to be all change in the attacking department at the Bridge over the summer, with Demba Ba and Victor Moses being touted around to other clubs.
And though Mourinho respects Fernando Torres, Starsport understands Chelsea would be willing to let the Spanish star leave for as little as £18m.

'The Special One' will add to his attacking options, but the club are unlikely to meet the £50m asking price for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani, and are fearful of getting into a protracted bidding war with Real Madrid and Manchester City for the Uruguayan. Mourinho is keen to take a close look at Romelu Lukaku in pre-season, having spoken in depth with West Brom boss Steve Clarke to find out just how the Belgian is developing.
Reports have been good and the Portuguese coach is looking to the big striker to play a significant part in his plans going forward.
That leaves Ba, who only arrived in a £7m move from Newcastle in January, facing an uncertain future, but his wages of £70,000 a week could make it hard for him to ship out on a permanent deal.
West Ham have shown an interest in a season-long loan move, though Ba would seek assurances he would be used as a striker and not out wide.