Stamford Bridge side ready to sacrifice Ramires to help fund Ross Barkley bid.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly ready to sacrifice Brazilian Ramires in order to help fund a move for Everton starlet Ross Barkley according to the Daily Express.
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The 27 year old former Benfica man is used to being a prominent player at the west London side, racking up 195 appearances in his first four seasons at Stamford Bridge, but thus far this season has found his way to Mourinho’s starting eleven barred by Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic.
Ramires has started just two of Chelsea’s first five Premier League fixtures, though has still found time to score a goal and provide three assists, and as such may be seen by Mourinho as a player he can afford to cash-in on.
Real Madrid are said to be courting Ramires, which is perhaps no surprise given it was Bernabeu boss Carlo Ancelotti who brought the box to box performer to Chelsea back in August 2010.
Chelsea are keen on 20 year old Everton midfielder Ross Barkley and though the Toffees £50m valuation may be a little inflated it would certainly take a big fee to land the England man, hence the need to balance the books.
Mourinho has done a masterful job of selling players he has deemed surplus to requirements to help fund moves for players he rates.
The Portuguese boss has banked more than £100m from the sales of David Luiz, Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku alone.