Abramovich ready to pay whatever it takes to get Jose – report

The People say Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is planning what it calls a ‘west London summer raid’ for Chelsea’s Daniel Sturridge and Fulham’s Moussa Dembele.

Sturridge, who wants a new deal at Stamford Bridge, has been linked with the Gunners previously, while several clubs are reported to have shown an interest in Dembele.

The People also suggest that interim boss Roberto Di Matteo will be given an interview for the Chelsea manager’s job if they overcome Barcelona in the Champions League.

Roman Abramovich is ready to pay whatever it takes to get Jose Mourinho back at Chelsea after settling his differences with the Real Madrid manager, according to The Mail on Sunday.

The Russian owner and Mourinho parted on bad terms in 2007 but it is claimed that wages of more than £9m a year – after tax – and a compensation bill from Madrid of £25m would be sanctioned by Abramovich.

A Chelsea source is quoted as saying: “Such is Roman’s determination to bring back Mourinho that he is prepared to top Jose’s Madrid wages and pay compensation to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.”

Mourinho is said to be Abramovich’s first choice but France coach Laurent Blanc, Marseille manager Didier Deschamps and Zenit St Petersburg’s Luciano Spalletti are apparently in the frame in case the Real boss cannot be persuaded to return to Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea man Ruud Gullit has insisted that Di Matteo should be given the job.

“Roberto must be appointed as manager of Chelsea ­permanently,” Gullit told The Sunday Mirror.

“What is stopping Chelsea’s board to carry on with Di Matteo when he has got the team performing so well? He deserves all the compliments for what he has done so far.”

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