Chelsea’s massive spending policy has put an end to the Stamford Bridge careers of several young players, and 25-year old Marko Marin has been one of the victims. The German international is not in the first team plans of manager Jose Mourinho and wants to reunite with former Blues’ teammate Demba Ba.

Ba himself confirmed Marin’s intentions to join him at Besiktas this summer as he was quoted saying in the Metro, “Marin called me after my transfer to Besiktas. He told me Besiktas were also interested in him and that he would like to play alongside me. Chelsea are probably going to loan him out again, so this is definitely something that could happen. It would be an advantage for me as we have trained together and would help the settling in process.”

Chelsea’s out of favour left-back Patrick Van Aanholt is wanted by fellow Premier League side Sunderland this season, reports the Metro. The 23-year old Dutchman has been perennially on loan since joining Chelsea in 2009, and he has already resigned to the fact that he will not play for the Blues once again this season.

The former PSV Eindhoven youth product, who spent loan spells at Coventry, Newcastle, Leicester, Wigan and Vitesse, was quoted saying recently, “Where will I play next season? I don’t know yet,’ said the 23-year-old. ‘It definitely won’t be at Chelsea. I am done here.”

Legendary Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has returned to Stamford Bridge on a 1-year contract the club confirmed today.

Clearly Manager Jose Mourinho believes that Drogba is still among the best in the world, and has re-signed him to help Chelsea win more trophies. Drogba had run down his contract at Galatasaray, having joined the Turkish giants after leaving Chelsea for a short stint in China.

There have been murmurs around Chelsea circles that manager Jose Mourinho is willing to hand 19-year old centre-back Kurt Zouma an opportunity to play in his first team and compete for a place in the starting XI with the likes of John Terry and Gary Cahill, but the Blues are continuing to be linked with Real Madrid’s 21-year old defensive prodigy Raphael Varane, reports the Independent.

Mourinho has handed his January acquisition Zouma  the No.5 jersey at Chelsea, which shows that the Portuguese is willing to trust in the teenager to come up trumps for him this season. However, Mourinho is also keeping tabs on the contract stand-off between Varane and Real Madrid with the French international reportedly unhappy with his low wages at the Bernabeu.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has made an £8 million offer to German Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for the services of their star player Roberto Firmino. The 22-year old is mainly an attacking midfielder but has also played as a striker and a winger, which has caught the attention of Wenger. Firmino netted 16 goals and produced 11 assists last season, catching the attention of top European sides including Chelsea and Liverpool.

Wenger though has made the first move to land the promising youngster and could hold talks with Hoffenheim to seal the deal for the versatile forward. The Metro reports that Wenger is also hoping to convert Firmino into a centre-forward if he manages to sign him up, but the Gunners are a fair way away from striking a deal for the Brazilian with Hoffenheim reportedly keen on keeping him for another season.

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Porto’s prolific striker Jackson Martinez as the Portuguese giants have insisted that they will only sell the striker for the full value of his release clause. Talksport reports that the Gunners might therefore have to pay up £32 million if they wish to land the 27-year old, who netted an impressive 60 goals in 91 games so far for the Dragons.

Porto’s director Antero Henrique said recently, “Jackson will only leave Porto for his release clause.”