Chelsea manager to splash cash on double signing from old club Porto.
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is lining up a sensational £65million double swoop on his old club Porto for striker Jackson Martinez and defender Eliaquim Mangala, CaughtOffside understands.
The pair have been making headlines for much of the summer after their impressive form for the Portuguese side last season, and have been widely tipped to make big-money moves before the close of the transfer window.
French centre-back Mangala has been identified as a top target by Mourinho for some time now, and he looks ready to test Porto’s resolve with a massive £30million bid for the 22-year-old, who is rated as one of the best young defenders in the world.
The returning Chelsea manager, who has also had spells in charge of Inter Milan and Real Madrid, has been keen to strengthen his defence with doubts over John Terry’s fitness and the commitment to the club of David Luiz, who is currently subject to some speculation himself as Barcelona continue to chase him.
Porto have insisted that they will not consider selling Mangala this summer, but may find Chelsea’s latest offer too good to turn down, and the club have done well in recent years to reinvest in new players after selling their stars to bigger clubs.
They may also have to deal with the departure of top-scorer Jackson Martinez, whose 34 goals last season have seen him attract attention from all over Europe, with Liverpool and Tottenham thought to be leading the race for him in England.
However, Chelsea have now stepped up their interest and decided to meet his £35million minimum release fee clause, as they seem to have been unsuccessful in their pursuit of Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
The England international has made it clear that he wants to leave Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge, but appears to have been denied a move by manager David Moyes, who is not concerned about keeping an unhappy player as long as the club can avoid selling to a Premier League rival.
Chelsea have also been unsuccessful in their other attempts to find an upgrade on Fernando Torres and Demba Ba, missing out to big-spending French giants PSG and Monaco on Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao, respectively. Another target, Robert Lewandowski, appears not to be moving this summer, having settled his dispute with Borussia Dortmund.
Martinez looks a good alternative for Chelsea, and he hinted earlier today that he is not entirely happy with his situation in Portugal, reacting angrily to false reports that he had signed a contract extension with Porto.
The Porto pair could be joined at the club by Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, whose absence from his team’s latest pre-season friendly has thrown his future in Serie A into some doubt.