Atletico Madrid will see another of their stars from last season depart for Stamford Bridge after Chelsea agreed a fee for defender Filipe Luis. Striker Diego Costa made the move earlier this month for £32m, following weeks of speculation, and the Brazilian left-back will join him in London. Luis, 28, is likely to replace Ashley Cole who left the club for Roma and become the club's first-choice left-back. The defender will now agree personal terms with the Blues after the clubs agreed on a £20m deal, and complete a medical in the coming days. With Atletico Madrid last season, Luis enjoyed … [Read more...]
Fabregas nears Chelsea switch
Cesc Fabregas is close to completing a £30m move to Stamford Bridge following Barcelona's decision to sell the Spanish international. The Blues are the favourites for Fabregas' signature after former club Arsenal rejected the chance to re-sign him. There was an option in Fabregas' contract that Arsenal would have the first option to buy the player if Barcelona were willing to sell, but Arsene Wenger has refused to take up the offer. Instead it appears as if Chelsea are holding off Manchester City and United in the race to sign Fabregas. Jose Mourinho has openly admitted that he is interested … [Read more...]
Costa passes Chelsea medical ahead of £32m move
Diego Costa has undergone a medical with Chelsea ahead of a heavily-anticipated £32m transfer from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish striker scored 32 times as Madrid won La Liga and reached the Champions League Final in a fantastic season at the Vicente Calderon. Costa was part of the Madrid team that knocked Chelsea out in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and even scored from the penalty spot in the 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge. He has been linked with Chelsea for months and looks set to end the speculation over his signing if he completes personal terms with the club. The deal looks set … [Read more...]
Diego Costa on his way to Chelsea
Chelsea are set to sign highly rated Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa this summer according to UK newspaper, the Metro. The 25 year old has been in sensational form this season, more than capably filling the void left by his departed predecessor Radamel Falcao with 35 goals in all competitions for Atleti. … [Read more...]
Chelsea Set To Pounce For Costa
There are two questions hanging over Diego Costa today: will he be fit enough to start against Barcelona in tonight's Champions League tie, and will he be starting a career at Chelsea in the new season. Jose Mourinho, ever one for plain speaking, has made no secret of his disdain for the current Chelsea forward line. Demba Ba, Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o have 15 league goals between them this season, whereas the increasingly deadly Costa has already hit 31 for Atletico Madrid. Everton loanee Lukaku has fared better, but Mourinho has burnt his bridges with the young striker and he won't be … [Read more...]
Chelsea To Sign Real Sociedad Forward
Jose Mourinho is set to bring in his second signing of the transfer window – Real Sociedad's young Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann. Juan Mata will be leaving Stamford Bridge within 48 hours, although it's still not certain to be Manchester United rather than Atletico Madrid, and Mourinho is moving swiftly to secure a replacement. Griezmann has youth on his side. Aged only 22, he has already made over 160 appearances for the San Sebastian club, scoring 42 goals in the process. He can play as a centre forward, although he is more often deployed as a left winger. This has been a breakthrough season … [Read more...]
Alonso Denies Chelsea Rumours
Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has denied reports that Chelsea had approached him about a move to west London. The Madrid string-puller's contract was into its final six months, but he has ended speculation by signing a new contract that will keep the 32 year old at the Bernabeu for at least another two years. Alonso signed from Liverpool in 2009 for a fee of £30m and has since become a regular in a central midfied position, despite stiff competition. He has made 140 appearances for Los Blancos, scoring four goals in the process. His true value, however, lies in his ability to break up … [Read more...]
Juan Mata To Move From Chelsea To Atletico
Rumours continue to circulate that the mercurial Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata is set to sign for Atletico Madrid. Mata is still hugely popular among the Chelsea fans but he is becoming an increasingly peripheral, and agitated, figure at Stamford Bridge. Jose Mourinho likes players who work hard and he has reportedly criticised Mata for not tracking back enough and not making enough runs. Mata was substituted on New Year's Day during a game against Southampton and he made no attempt to hide his disgust at the decision. Mourinho insists that Mata is not for sale but we all know that there can … [Read more...]
Mourinho targeting Musacchio
Mateo Musacchio is being lined up for a surprise transfer to the Premier League as Chelsea look set to bolster their defence by signing the Villarreal centre-back. Musacchio, 23, has excelled as Villarreal have impressed since their re-introduction to La Liga this season and was on the scoresheet in the Yellow Submarine's narrow defeat to Barcelona on Saturday. … [Read more...]
Could David Luiz be off to Barcelona?
Barcelona's defensive difficulties were well documented over the summer and coach Martino is on record as saying he will reassess the situation in January, as the Catalan club look for the long-term replacement for Carles Puyol. A player they have reportedly watched closely is David Luiz of Chelsea, Luiz has been in and out of the Chelsea starting 11 this season and with the return to form of stalwart John Terry, come January the Brazillian defender could well be available. Luiz is not your typical 6' 4" Premier League centre half, he is more forward-thinking and confident on the ball and his … [Read more...]