Mourinho looking for defender to ‘balance’ the squad

Chelsea F.C. manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he is planning to make one more signing during the summer transfer window.

The English Premier League champions reportedly had a £20 million bid for Everton centre-back John Stones rejected this week, but the Blues are expected to improve their offer in the near future.

“I am looking for a defender to finish this balance in our squad and after that we are ready to answer anything that can happen to our players,” Mourinho told Sky Sports News HQ.

“If one of our players in a specific position wants to leave, we agree a deal for a player to leave and we have to answer immediately and bring in somebody else, because at the moment we have balance in the squad and we cannot lose that.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also been linked with a summer move for FC Barcelona winger Pedro, who struggled to keep his starting-place at the Camp Nou last season following the arrival of Luis Suarez.

However, regarding Pedro, Mourinho added: “I have five wingers, if I lose one maybe I am interested in another but at this moment I have balance and quality and numbers.

“It’s a big challenge for us to go through the season with basically the same team and squad from last season.”

In addition, Mourinho has insisted Egypt international winger Mohamed Salah, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Italian Serie A side Fiorentina, is not in his plans for 2015/16.

“I see his future elsewhere,” said Mourinho. “Either on loan or sold with an offer we are happy to accept. We have five wingers and it is better not to have Salah back.”

Salah, 23, is reportedly attracting interest from A.S. Roma and Internazionale Milano.

Guardiola plays down Gotze exit talk

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has played down reports linking Mario Gotze with an exit from the Allianz Arena amid reports linking the player with a summer move to Juventus.

The Germany international, 23, scored nine goals–adding two assists–in 32 Bundesliga appearances for the German champions in 2014/15, but failed to find the back of the net in his last 12 league games.

Recent reports have suggested the Bianconeri are keen on bringing in Gotze as Bayern continue their public pursuit of Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal.

“Mario’s got a contract here, he’s my player and he’s a great player too,” Guardiola said.

“In my mind, he is going to be a Bayern Munich player all season.

“He’s a top player, but I know that it’s not only the coach who decides here. It depends on the club.”