Chelsea are planning to offload Filipe Luis back to Atletico Madrid, to free up funds in a potential swap deal involving Madrid’s midfielder, Koke, according to reports in Spain.
Despite only signing for Chelsea last summer for around £16 million, Luis has struggled to find a way into the first-team set-up at Stamford Bridge, with Jose Mourinho favouring Cesar Azpilicueta as his first choice left-back, ahead of the Brazilian.
He has gone onto feature 23 times for Chelsea this season, and could be used as bait by Jose Mourinho to sign one of Luis’ former team-mates at the Vicente Calderon, Koke being the latest player to flirt with a move to Chelsea.
Luis has always maintained that he is happy in London, however Chelsea may let him leave in favour of a return to Atletico, as they attempt to push through a £22 million summer move for Koke, with Chelsea sending scouts out to view the player, in a recent La Liga fixture against Malaga.
OTHER ENGLISH INTEREST?
Manchester United have also been keen on Koke, as the title-holders of the Spanish top-flight previously stating that they will only let Koke depart should he demand a transfer, as he has a £43 million release clause.
Koke had previously been a long term target for Manchester United, and current manager Louis Van Gaal is hoping that he can bring him to Old Trafford, by continuing his large spending spree into this summer.
Though, Chelsea are hoping that by offering defender Luis back to Diego Simeone’s side in-return, then that could possibly hand the West Londoners’ the green-light to land the 23-year-old Spanish intentional, who has impressed for Atleti this term, featuring 47 times in all competitions, for both club and country.
Adding Luis to any potential deal could push the value up for a Koke transfer, as Chelsea look to revamp their current squad in time for next season.
By Ben Reardon
