Portuguese Midfielder Agrees Shock Chelsea Move

As we approach the opening of the summer window clubs will be intensifying their efforts in the transfer market so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Tiago is reportedly on his way back to Chelsea.

Portuguese midfielder Tiago has agreed to rejoin Chelsea after rejecting a two-year contract offer to remain at Atletico Madrid, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

Jose Mourinho signed signed Tiago during his first spell at Chelsea when he paid Benfica £12m for the then 23-year-old but the player spent just one season at Stamford Bridge before being sold to Lyon.

After two years in France and a further stint in Italy with Juventus, Thiago ended up signing for Atletico Madrid in January 2010 and he’s been at the club ever since and played an important role, both on and off the field, in helping the club win the La Liga title and narrowly miss out on the Champions League last weekend.

However, with his contract at the Vicente Calderon up this summer it seems he’s set to leave the club and have another go at trying to make it in England, with Spanish outlet Marca claiming today that the 33-year-old has agreed to re-join Chelsea.

Tiago admitted after the defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday that he had already made up his mind on his future but wouldn’t disclose any further details until he’d spoken to Atletico, but the newspaper suggests that his decision is to turn down a two-year offer with the Spaniard’s in favour of signing a bumper pay-deal to return to West London.

It remains to be seen whether there is any truth in these reports but it would be a shock signing if accurate. Mourinho is likely to be on the look-out for midfield reinforcements following the sale of David Luiz to PSG, as the Brazilian regularly played in the middle of the park during the second half of last season, while Frank Lampard’s future is also uncertain with his contract set to expire next month.

Many would have expected Mourinho to go out and buy a big name so to opt for the free transfer of a 33-year-old who he didn’t think was good enough back in 2005 would be something of a surprise move. But Tiago has been in excellent form for Atletico over the past three or four years so perhaps Mourinho feels he’s now matured and is capable of doing a job in the Premier League.

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If Tiago does end up joining Chelsea on a free transfer I think he’ll be a short-term replacement for Lampard and Mourinho will most likely bring in a more long-term solution for Luiz.