Reports: Chelsea FC In Talks With Atletico Madrid For Filipe Luis
According to reports in The Guardian, Chelsea FC are in talks with Atletico Madrid for a possible transfer for left back Filipe Luis. The Blues are looking for a replacement for Ashley Cole and are reportedly interested in Luke Shaw of Southampton as well.
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The 28 year old Luis has been at Atletico Madrid for four years since arriving from Deportivo la Coruna and after the Champions League final he expressed interest in honoring the remainder of his three year contract but he could be headed to Stamford Bridge instead. If he does indeed make the move then the question remains if he will be the starter there or serve as a rotation player.
An excerpt from The Guardian article:
"Chelsea are seeking a replacement for the departing Ashley Cole, whose eight-year stay will end when his contract expires at the end of next month, and had also considered the credentials of Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno and Southampton’s Luke Shaw. Yet, while interest in the teenage England international is long established and maintained, Shaw is still expected to move to Manchester United and Luís would be a safer option, given his experience and his clear pedigree, as demonstrated in both legs of Atletico’s semi-final success over Chelsea in the Champions League this season."
At 28 years old, Filipe Luis would clearly not be the long term solution for Chelsea at leftback as they seek to replace Ashley Cole. Cesar Azpilicueta was a revelation playing in that position so the question of what position he will play next year and in the future also remains unanswered.
A player like Shaw has considerably more upside than Luis and at only 18 he can be at Chelsea for more than a decade. Shaw is decidedly more expensive than Luis because of that considerable upside and also because he is English and is obviously a “homegrown” player. The youngster is reportedly a target for Manchester United but Chelsea are favored to come in a and hijack the deal for the defender. Whether Shaw or Luis are an upgrade over Azpilicueta is also something Chelsea must take in to account before splashing a considerable amount of cash.
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