According to reports from The Metro this morning, Chelsea have already begun negotiations with Atletico Madrid regarding a summer deal for star midfielder Koke.
As This Is Futbol revealed yesterday, the Blues want to use left-back Filipe Luis as a makeweight in any potential deal to lower Atletico’s £50million asking price. The Brazil international spent four years at Vincente Calderon before moving to west London for a £15million fee last summer, but has since gone on to make just 7 Premier League starts.
Overnight, however, it appears discussions have escalated from the realms of hypothetical to genuine negotiations, with The Metro mooting Sky Italia in claiming talks are already underway.
The 23 year-old has been a key player in a Mattress Makers outfit that’s claimed a Europa League title, a Copa del Rey, a UEFA Super-Cup and a La Liga title since summer 2011, amassing eleven goals and 31 assists in his last 97 La Liga outings.
And the Spain international seems a particularly good fit for Chelsea, having added class to an Atletico side built around world-class organisation and energy.
But long-term interest from Manchester United could prove problematic. As Manchester Evening News reported in February, the midfielder has been on the Old Trafford radar ever since David Moyes’ short-lived reign.
Man utd have to forget about koke
manu look for a typical striker and a defender