Atletico Madrid’s Felipe Luis Nearing Chelsea FC Switch
Felipe Luis has reportedly been sent to train with the Atletico Madrid youth team as a direct consequence of having put in a transfer request, according to this article in Monday’s Evening Standard. Luis, a Brazilian international, had been heavily linked with Chelsea after it became clear that club legend Ashley Cole would be departing the club, and may have used a transfer request as a way of forcing a move to the West London outfit.
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Luis, who turns 29 in August, was an integral part of Atletico Madrid’s historic title-winning season last year, and has a buyout clause that is believed to be just under £20m. Despite his obvious quality, Chelsea have up to this point seemed unwilling to pay a high price for a defender so close to 30, but that stance may have changed. According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea have had a £16m bid accepted by the Spanish side, a figure also reported two days ago by journalist Duncan Castles. For a player pushing 30, the figure seems high; but the move could pay off if the experienced Brazilian can immediately reproduce last season’s title-winning form.
Jose Mourinho has already publicly stated that he wants [Chelsea] to finish first next season, and adding a world-class defender like Felipe Luis could go a long way toward ensuring the Chelsea defense remains the best in the Premier League for a second consecutive year.
Chelsea have had a £16m bid accepted by the Spanish side
With Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois returning to Chelsea from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid, and Atleti teammate Diego Costa reportedly having been sold to the Blues for £32m, Luis will have familiar faces in the dressing room at Stamford Bridge to help him settle, should his should the deal go through. Hopefully all will proceed exactly as reported.
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