Chelsea Transfer News: Mandzukic's Exclusion From Last Bayern Game Fuels Blues Move Rumours

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has left Mario Mandzukic out of the squad for this weekend's DFB-Pokal Cup final against Borussia Dortmund – fuelling rumours that the striker will make a summer move to Chelsea.

German newspaper Bild recently reported that the German giants have offered Chelsea the striker as part of a deal which would see centre-back David Luiz going the opposite way.

And now Guardiola has increased those rumours omitting the striker from Bayern's crucial final against Dortmund due to technical reasons.

"He would have been able to play. But it is my decision and that's it," Guardiola told the reporters ahead of the game.

Having failed to replicate last season's success when Bayern won all competitions, Guardiola's side need a Cup victory to add to their Bundesliga title and end the season on a high.

And Guardiola's decision to face the challenge without Mandzukic has been a shock – as the 27-year-old Croatian international has been his top scorer this season after netting 25 goals in 45 club appearances.

However his future at the Allianz has been under scrutiny since earlier in the season, when Bayern announced the summer signing of striker Robert Lewandowski.

According to reports, Chelsea are also set to complete the signing of Atletico Madrid star Diego Costa for £32m.

Nevertheless, with Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o, Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku all ready to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, Mourinho is keen on adding another number nine to his squad.

Arsenal have also been linked with the Bayern Munich star in recent months, but it looks like the German interest in signing David Luiz could help Chelsea to win the battle.