Chelsea
Chelsea Open Talks Over Potential €40m Deal For Man Utd Midfield Target
Chelsea have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over a potential €40m deal for highly-rated midfielder Koke – who has also been attracting interest from Man Utd
As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Chelsea step up their interest in Koke….
Chelsea have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over a potential €40m swap deal for highly-rated midfielder Koke – who has also been attracting interest from Manchester United, according to reports.
The Blues may have just sealed the Premier League title but it looks like Jose Mourinho is already planning to strengthen his squad ahead of an assault on the Champions League next season.
The Blues boss is believed to have identified areas he’d like to improve with midfield a key priority, and Koke has emerged as a prime target for the Portuguese coach in recent months.
The Spanish international has enjoyed another superb season with Atletico Madrid and it’s not gone unnoticed, with both Chelsea and Manchester United understood to be keeping a close eye on his situation.
Any potential deal was always going to be expensive as the 23-year-old has a €60m (£44m) release clause in his contract but the Express claim that Chelsea have now opened talks with Atletico and proposed a swap deal that would bring that outlay down considerably.
The newspaper suggests that the Blues are willing to pay around €40m (£30m) and use Filipe Luis as part exchange to sweeten the deal. Luis only left the Vicente Calderon for West London last summer but has struggled to hold down a regular place so would probably be open to a move back to Spain.
It remains to be seen how Atletico will respond to such a proposal but if they give any indication that they’re willing to part ways with Koke, then I’m sure Chelsea would face competition for his signature, not least from Man Utd.
Louis van Gaal is likely to be busy once again in the transfer window this summer and Koke would be just the type of signing the Dutchman would be interested in pursuing as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the title next season.
READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news
However, with Chelsea reportedly willing to use Luis as bait, that could sway the deal in their favour and I’m sure Blues fans would love to see the midfielder arrive at the Bridge this summer.
Koke is one of the most talented young midfielders in European football and he has all the ability to develop even further, so it would be great to see him plying his trade here in the Premier League next year.
Will Chelsea be able to agree a deal before United get involved? We’ll have to wait and see….
