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Chelsea to turn to Ross Barkley with Juan Mata Manchester United bound
CHELSEA look set to launch an offensive to snaffle Everton star Ross Barkley with Juan Mata on the verge of a move to Manchester United.
With a deal for Mata expected to be wrapped up today after the Blues accepted United's £37 million bid.
Jose Mourinho has already scoured the market for targets this month, with Southampton's Luke Shaw identified as a long-term successor to Ashley Cole.
But it seems Barkley has caught Mourinho's eye, despite having only just outlaid £21 million to bring Nemanja Matic back to Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggest that Chelsea are keen on Barkley but are unlikely to plough the funds from the Mata sale straight away into new players, especially as Barkley is sidelined with a broken toe.
It is also thought that Everton are desperate to tie Barkley, who is contracted until 2016, down to a new deal.
Chelsea are believed to be keeping their options open as far as beefing up their midfield is concerned, and they could gazump Liverpool for Basel winger Mohamed Salah.
The Blues are still retaining hope of trying to sign Inter Milan's Fredy Guarin who saw a move to Juventus collapse.
With the Toffees' recent history of offloading their prize assets in recent years including Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini and Mikel Arteta, a move to Stamford Bridge for Barkley can't be ruled out.