Chelsea
Chelsea Re-Open Talks For €24m-Rated Brazilian + Mourinho Also Eyes New Forward
Chelsea have reopened talks with Atletico Madrid over the signing of €24m left-back Filipe Luis while Jose Mourinho also wants another forward this summer
The summer transfer window is now open for business and it’s expected to be a busy few weeks as managers strengthen their squads ahead of next season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Chelsea re-open talks for Filipe Luis.
Image: Express
Chelsea have reopened talks with Atletico Madrid over the signing of €24m-rated left-back Filipe Luis while Jose Mourinho is also on the look-out for another forward this summer, according to reports.
The Blues boss is desperate to bring in a replacement for Ashley Cole after the long-serving full-back completed his free transfer move to Roma earlier this week and Mourinho has seemingly identified Luis as the man to fill his boots.
The West Londoners have previously held talks with Atletico but have been unable to agree a fee with the La Liga champions understood to be holding out for the full value of the 28-year-old’s €24m (£19m) release clause after rejecting Chelsea’s opening €19m (£15m) bid.
However, it looks as though Mourinho hasn’t given up hope of landing the Brazilian international as the Telegraph claim that the two clubs have one again opened talks in the hope of finding a compromise.
The Daily Star claim that Luis has his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge and has pleaded with Atletico bosses to lower their demands to facilitate a deal, but whether the Spaniard’s will relent remains to be seen.
Luis has been a key figure in Diego Simeone’s side over the past few years and was virtually ever-present as the club marched towards the La Liga title last season and narrowly missed out on a historic double after losing to Real Madrid in the final of the Champions League.
Cesar Azpilicueta performed exceptionally well at left-back for Chelsea last season but his natural position is on the right and Luis would add more balance to their squad if the Blues could manage to get a deal done.
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Chelsea have already spent big on signing Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas this summer but the Telegraph suggest that as well as looking to bring Luis to the club, Mourinho is still on the look-out for another attacker and has set his sights on either Ezequiel Lavezzi or Antoine Griezmann.
Lavezzi is understood to be open to the idea of leaving PSG as he’s growing increasingly frustrated at playing in the shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani, while Griezmann is expected to leave Real Sociedad after rejecting a new contract and either would be a useful addition to the Chelsea attack.
