Chelsea In Talks Over Surprise Midfielder Deal

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, Chelsea are in talks with Real Madrid over a shock swap deal.

Chelsea are in talks with European champions Real Madrid over a potential £10m player-plus-cash swap deal involving Ramires and Luka Modric, according to reports today.

Madrid have been strongly linked with a move for Ramires in recent weeks with reports suggesting the are prepared to pay in the region of £25m for the Brazilian defensive midfielder.

So far the Blues have refused to do business, however, it seems Jose Mourinho is using Real’s interest in the 27-year-old to try and land long-term target Luka Modric, with the Metro claiming that the west Londoners have proposed a player-plus-cash swap deal that would see them hand over Ramires plus £10m for the Croatian schemer.

The newspaper suggests that Madrid have so far turned down the offer and are insisting on a cash sum of nearer £20m, but Mourinho is reluctant to pay such a fee in addition to losing one of his key men.

Talks are expected to continue over the course of the next week and it’s understood that Ramires is open to the idea of linking up with Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu, but he will not force a move as he’s more than content at Stamford Bridge.

Whether Modric would be prepared to leave the newly-crowned European champions if a deal is agreed remains to be seen, as he’s finally settled in at Madrid and played a key role in their success during the second half of last season when Sami Khedira was out injured.

MORE: CHELSEA CONFIDENT OVER £60M DOUBLE SWOOP

It would certainly be an interesting move if Chelsea could pull it off as Modric is a very different type of player to Ramires. The Brazilian international has been a vital member of the squad since his move from Benfica four years ago and his tireless work ethic would be greatly missed if he was to leave.

If Modric did move to Stamford Bridge, it would also surely call into question Chelsea’s proposed move for Cesc Fabregas as Mourinho would struggle to fit both players into his team along with all the other attacking talent he already has available.