Chelsea are hoping to sign a new striker in the next few days, with Samuel Eto’o one option being seriously pursued. The Portuguese worked with Eto'o at Internazionale and would cost around £5m from Anzhi, the Guardian reports.

The move indicates that the west London club have all but conceded defeat in their pursuit of Wayne Rooney, though having had bids of £23m and £25m rejected by Manchester United, Mourinho may decide to test the champions' resolve one last time.

But given the Glazer family, who own United, consider that Rooney staying at the club beyond the current transfer window is now a matter of principle, it seems that any further will be dismissed out of hand. David Moyes, the manager, is also minded that selling Rooney to a serious rival could all but hand the championship to that club.

At 32, Eto'o would offer Champions League-winning experience, both at Barcelona and Internazionale, and is being considered owing to Mourinho's misgivings about Fernando Torres's ability to consistently score.