Chelsea reportedly look set to make a final ‘take it or leave it’ offer for Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis. According to the ‘Daily Express’, Chelsea are unwilling to pay Luis’#19m buy-out clause which Atletico are holding out for.
Instead, The Blues will make a final offer of £12m for the Brazilian defender.
Luis is reportedly desperate to leave Atletico for West Londonand has pleaded with the Spanish club’s owners to lower their asking price. The La Liga champions though, are facing financial difficulties and are therefore insisting that the full fee is paid to trigger Luis’ release.
Chelsea have already payed the full release to acquire one of Atletico’s stars this summer. Jose Mourinho’s side had to pay £32.5m to trigger Diego Costa’s release from ‘Los Rojiblancos’. The striker being Chelsea’ second summer signing following the acquisition of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona.
But Chelsea are reportedly unwilling to be ‘held hostage’ over the Luis situation. Particularly as they are aware that the player wants to move and given that Atleti have already signed a replacement for the Brazilian, Guilherme Siqueira.
Filipe Luis took part in Atletico’s first pre-season training session yesterday and will have to compete with Siqueira for the left-back slot should he be forced to stay at in Madrid.
Chelsea are also in pursuit of a new left-back following the release of the long-serving Ashley Cole. The former England international joined Italian giants Roma yesterday on a 2-year deal. Cesar Azpilicueta successfully played as a left-back last season despite being predominantly a right-sided full-back.
Mourinho feels it is necessary to sign an out-and-out left-back for the upcoming season, with Luis being his preferred option.
However, it seems that Luis’ future is considerably less certain, with negotiations seemingly reaching an impasse.
Chelsea may have to look at other targets if talks for Luis continue to stall with Wolfsburg’s talented Swiss international Ricardo Rodriguez and the Argentinian, Marcos Rojo, being touted as possible alternatives.
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