Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho ready to pay defender’s full release clause fee in summer transfer window in order to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio says Chelsea will sign Felipe Luis this summer from Atletico Madrid for €25 million (approximately £19.98m), paying the full amount of the 28 year-old’s minimum fee release clause.
Confirmed that Filipe luis will join @chelseafc, that is going to pay the exit clause (€25M)
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) June 16, 2014
The Brazilian defender enjoyed a stellar campaign for Atleti last season, helping his team keep 20 clean sheets in 38 La Liga matches, as well as two assists going forward.
He will replace the departing Ashley Cole, who announced his departure from Stamford Bridge last month.
Chelsea have done plenty of business with Atletico Madrid recently, with Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois having played the last three seasons on loan at Estadio Vicente Calderon, and Rojiblanco striker Diego Costa widely expected to move to west London after the World Cup.
After regular declarations throughout last season that it would be next term before Chelsea challenged for trophies on all fronts, Jose Mourinho has set about strengthening his squad significantly this summer.
Having already confirmed the signing of Cesc Fabregas, Felipe Luis and Diego Costa would be great acquisitions – and make the Blues strong contenders for both Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles in 2014-15.