Chelsea ready to launch bid for Barcelona forward
After impressing in a series of early season performances, Chelsea are preparing to make a bid for Barcelona youngster, Isaac Cuenca, in the January transfer window.
The forward has made ten appearances for the Barcelona first team this season, as well as featuring for Barcelona ‘B’ on a number of occasions.
Despite playing only four La Liga matches, Cuenca has also scored two league goals for the Catalan giants which may not sound like much given the supply he receives at the club but it shows maturity beyond his years.
The 20 year-old is currently a part of the Spanish Under-21 side for whom he has made two appearances but is yet to score.
Chelsea aren’t the only team to announce interest in the youngster however with Manchester United also said to be sniffing around his signature.
The Blues are looking to replenish their forward line after the club agreed to sell Nicolas Anelka to Shanghai Shenhua.
Didier Drogba is another veteran seemingly heading for the Stamford Bridge exit after rejecting the contract extension offered to him earlier in the year.
The Ivorian has only six months left on his Chelsea contract and while he could leave on a free transfer this summer, a January sale seems far more likely.
Cuenca will be the second young striker to arrive at the London outfit in the last six months behind Belgian starlet, Romelu Lukaku,. However the Spaniard may find himself in the starting line-up before Lukaku after proving himself on the La Liga stage.
A purchase for the future, Cuenca may be tempted by the Premier League switch where playing time may be easier to come by, and could be a bargain at less than £1m.
