Chelsea Prepare Shock £22m Bid For City Star - Report

Chelsea are preparing a move to sign Manchester City star Yaya Toure at the end of the season, according to the Sun.

The Ivory Coast international has been in impressive form for Roberto Mancini's side in the last two seasons and also played a key role in helping the Citizens to lift the Premier League title after four decades.

The ex-Barcelona player's agent Dimitri Seluk earlier revealed his client could be away from the Etihad this summer, should City fail to offer a new contract before Saturday. The 29-year-old still has two years remaining on his current deal with the Premier League giants.

The report claims Toure's current situation with the English champions could see him buy out his contract to persuade a move away from the Etihad at the end of the season. The Ivorian's contract situation has alerted several clubs across Europe and Chelsea are keen on bringing the midfielder to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are set to lose their legend Frank Lampard who is in his final year of the contract and the European champions have not yet extended his deal beyond this summer. The England international is likely to leave the west London club at the end of the season and the club's Russian owner Roman Abramovich is now preparing a £22m in bringing City's star to the Bridge at the end of the season.

The addition of the ex-Barcelona player could bolster Chelsea's squad and also strengthen their midfield as he could be the ideal replacement for Lampard.

Mata: Chelsea Has Fond Memoreis of Mourinho

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata praised Blues ex-manager Jose Mourinho and claimed the club had fond memories of the Portuguese boss. The Spaniard claimed he is unaware of whether the current Real Madrid chief would return to the Bridge this summer.

"Chelsea have fond memories of Mourinho. Things went well under him, he won titles and the fans will have a great memory [of him], but today, Mourinho is the coach of Real Madrid and Benitez is Chelsea's coach. We have to be focused on that. Of course, Mourinho is one of the best coaches out there, but I do not know what will happen [with his future]. For now, I'm enjoying Benitez and his way of training," Mata explained.