Chelsea Transfer News: What Final Push to Land André Schürrle Says About Blues

The Chelsea Blues are looking to build on their 2012 UEFA Champions League title. The management team at Stamford Bridge made a final push to land André Schürrle, pointing to a distinct concern with their offensive firepower.

Chelsea originally made a transfer offer of £16 million, but Bayer Leverkusen rejected the bid. The Guardian reported that the Blues upped their bid to £20 million as the transfer window was closing.

Chelsea need a player that can relieve and provide competition for Fernando Torres.

Their only current option is Daniel Sturridge, but he has predominantly played wide forward. Counting on him fulfilling the Blues' needs as a striker is quite risky.

Chelsea were considering loaning Sturridge out to get first-team play should they land Schürrle. Liverpool was the expected destination.

Leverkusen was hesitant to move Schürrle, even at a cost of £20 million. But the 21-year-old German was interested in the move, leading them to at least consider the Blues' final offer.

Even with the lack of a backup plan up front, there is a chance they could accept Chelsea's new offer as the window closes.

The transfer odds declined sharply as Chelsea opened play against Atlético Madrid in the Super Cup. Sturridge was named to the squad, ending the potential of a loan to Liverpool.

Blues manager Roberto Di Matteo still wanted to add a goal-scorer, and Chelsea fans eagerly await any potential news.

TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY UPDATE: 30minutes to go***West Ham sign Yossi Benyaoun from Chelsea on season-long loan.... fb.me/1iltserW2

— Sports Radio BrilaFM (@889BrilaFM) August 31, 2012

Chelsea had the option to move Yossi Benayoun and Florent Malouda, as both players were omitted from Di Matteo's roster in Monaco. Michael Essien was another potential transfer target.

"It's important we try and utilize our squad and involve everybody," Di Matteo said via The Guardian.

"About 99% of my players are internationals, so we have a very good depth to the squad. From September on, we'll be playing solidly – if we get through in the cups – every three days until March. There'll be plenty of games, injuries and suspensions: games enough for everybody."

With the transfer window about to close it appears the Blues will be relying on Sturridge having the ability to expand his role.

UPDATE

As Chelsea fans know, the window closed without the Blues adding some help on offense. They still need to find some answers, though, as their start to the 2012 season was a bit dismal.