Chelsea are yet to decide whether to proceed with a swap deal with Atletico Madrid which would see Toby Alderweireld move to Stamford Bridge and Filipe Luis head in the other direction.
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The Telegraph report that while the deal remains an option, Jose Mourinho is yet to commit as he considers other transfer priorities.
The Spanish giants remain keen for the move to go ahead; in light of considerable interest from the Premier League, they are anticipating a sale of the Belgian defender and would be keen to use Alderweireld as leverage to acquire Luis.
The Brazil international only left Atletico last summer to move to Stamford Bridge.
However, he has found the going tough in West London and, unable to dislodge Cesar Azpilicueta, has reportedly grown frustrated with life with the Pensioners [Metro]. The 29-year-old managed only nine starts in the top flight last term, and is believed to be eyeing a move away from the club.
Before pressing forward with the Luis-Alderweireld swap deal, the Telegraph understand Chelsea will launch final attempts to bring one of their three primary defensive targets to the club.
Like Manchester United, they are understood to be keen on both Everton centre-back John Stones [Daily Mail] and Real Madrid’s French international Raphael Varane [Express]. Joao Miranda is understood to be another target, but the Atleti defender appears close to completing a switch to Inter Milan [Express].
26-year-old Alderweireld featured 26 times in the EPL last term, having moved to Southampton on loan at the beginning of the campaign.
The defender, who can operate both on the right and in the heart of the backline, has also been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Southampton would be keen on recruiting the former Ajax man on a permanent deal [both Daily Mail].