Chelsea agree Filipe Luis deal with Atletico Madrid
Published:Chelsea, Coral’s 15/8 favourites to win the Premier League title, have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid over the transfer of Brazil left back Filipe Luis.
The 28-year-old, who was only on standby as his country finished fourth at their own World Cup, needs to agree personal terms and pass a medical before a reported £20m move can be completed to Stamford Bridge. Luis is set to become the second Atletico player to swap Madrid for west London this summer, following Jose Mourinho’s £32m capture of Brazilian-born Spain striker Diego Costa.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone has already moved to replace Luis with highly-rated compatriot Guilherme Siqueira, who spent last season on loan with Benfica and won a domestic Portuguese treble. He was owned by Granada.
Former Liverpool left back Emiliano Insua is also on the book at the Vicente Calderon. It has been a summer of change for La Liga winners Atletico as Luis and Costa join David Villa, Adrian Lopez, Tiago and Diego Ribas in leaving. Croatia striker Mario Mandzukic is Simeone’s main arrival from Bayern Munich.
In Luis, Mourinho hopes to have landed a replacement for long-serving left back Ashley Cole, who was released by the Blues and subsequently signed for Roma. Chelsea’s main first-team recruitment has come from Spain this summer, with former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas a £30m acquisition from Barcelona.
Despite being part of a title-winning defence that kept 20 clean sheets last term, Luis’ claims for international recognition were ignored by Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, who incidentally was once in charge at the Bridge. Big Phil picked Real Madrid’s Marcelo and PSG player Maxwell as his left backs for the World Cup roster, omitting both Luis and Atletico teammate Joao Miranda.
In other Blues news, Senegal striker Demba Ba, meanwhile, has left for Turkish giants Besiktas. Chelsea, 10/1 to win the Champions League, have allowed the former Newcastle and West Ham man to move on following Mourinho’s capture of Costa.
