Mourinho may offload Mikel for Gustavo

Chelsea are ready to table a £15million bid for Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo

Returning boss Jose Mourinho has prioritised the signing of a holding midfield player for the Stamford Bridge club.

He has doubts about John Obi Mikel’s ability to play in that role.

Bayern’s signing of Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona is likely to limit Gustavo’s first-team opportunities this season.

And the player wants regular first-team football to ensure he is part of the Brazil team for next summer’s World Cup.

Chelsea are also keen on bringing back midfielder Nemanja Matic – a fringe player at the Bridge from 2009-2011 – from Benfica, but his £25m price-tag is putting them off.

Guardiola plots £40m Luiz bid

BAYERN MUNICH are ready to offer £40million for Chelsea’s David Luiz. Boss Pep Guardiola wanted the Brazilian when he was in charge of Barcelona.

Now, having moved to European champions Bayern, Guardiola is ready to pounce.

He put out feelers for the defender while Luiz was starring for the Brazil side that won the Confederations Cup last month.

The 26-year-old has returned for pre-season with Chelsea, under new Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho and Guardiola is back on his trail.

An insider revealed: “The performance exposed some weaknesses that Pep believes could be sorted out by bringing in Luiz.”