Chelsea F.C. are reportedly planning a £16.5 million summer swoop for highly-rated Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis in the summer, casting doubt over the long-term future of Ashley Cole at Stamford Bridge, Metro understands.
Cole, whose current deal with the Blues expires at the end of the season, has only figured as a squad rotation player under Jose Mourinho and is expected to seek pastures new when he becomes a free agent in July.
Cesar Azpilicueta has been extremely reliable for Chelsea at left-back but the right-footed defender seems increasingly likely to move to right-back next term, with the club eyeing Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis and Southampton’s Luke Shaw.
Luis and Shaw have both enjoyed fantastic seasons for their respective clubs but the Blues would surely be better off signing the former, as the latter would cost them a ridiculous fee of around £30 million.
Additionally, Luis, a Brazil international, is far more experienced, having featured in 42 competitive European games for Deportivo La Coruña and Atletico Madrid.
In other news, Atletico Madrid ace Diego Costa, who helped El Atleti defeat the Blues at Stamford Bridge in midweek, has been heavily linked with a summer move to West London.
The Spain international, 25, is fully aware of the transfer rumours but has insisted he is happy at the Estadio Vicente Calderón.
“I feel good at Atletico, I am happy in Madrid,” Costa told Sky Sports Italia.
“We will see what happens, there are offers but it is too early yet to talk. Now I am just thinking about the end of the season, I want to win the Champions League and La Liga.”
Atletico and Costa will face one of their toughest tests of the 2013/14 campaign in the UEFA Champions League final against in-form rivals Real Madrid on 24 May 2014.
Global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have returned to form, while fellow forwards Angel di Maria, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema have also had a pep — no Guardiola pun intended — in their step in recent weeks.
However, the 25-year-old striker is hoping to beat the odds to win the most coveted trophy in European football.
“The truth is this is a beautiful final that we’ll play against Real Madrid,” added Costa. “It will be a great match, we hope to do well.
“We deserve to be in the final. The team was calm after Torres’ [opening] goal, we were tremendous for the whole game.”
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
