Porto fear exodus of stars to Chelsea

Porto chairman Pinto da Costa fears some of the club’s best players will follow manager Andre Villas-Boas to Chelsea.

The Portuguese and Europa League champions have the talents of highly-rated attacker Hulk and Radamel Falcao and midfielder Joao Moutinho as part of their squad.

Chelsea paid Villas-Boas’ 15 million euros release clause and are expected to announce his appointment on Wednesday.

Da Costa said the club was preparing for the possibility of an exodus from the Estadio do Dragao.

“If there are contracts with release clauses, we have to be prepared that some player might want to leave if the stipulated figure is met,” he said on Wednesday.

“I will not go to any country to negotiate. Just like it happened with Andre Villas-Boas, there will be no talks. There is an account number and money deposited there.”

“We have not had any contact about the transfer of players and we do not know the intention of any one of them to leave.”

Meanwhile, Falcao’s agent did not rule out a move, although Chelsea would have to pay a minimum 30 million euros to release him.

“If Villas-Boas is the new coach of Chelsea, it is normal for players that are closest to follow him,” his agent told The Sun.

Moutinho’s release is reportedly at a similar level.