Blues ready to dig deep to improve Stamford Bridge squad.
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Chelsea’s push to strengthen their squad this summer will apparently see Jose Mourinho line-up a number of La Liga raids, here’s a closer look at three oft-cited targets and cost of such proposed moves.
Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) £43m
Atletico Madrid must be getting sick of the sight of Chelsea, the Blues having snapped up both Filipe Luis and Diego Costa from the Vicente Calderon last summer, but seemingly Mourinho is at it once again.
With a view to bringing in more goal-scoring options to his squad Mourinho is very keen on French international Griezmann.
The former Real Sociedad has had a superb debut season at Atletico, his 22 goal haul all the more impressive when you consider he is chiefly used in a wide role, with only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having scored more La Liga goals this term.
Griezmann is said to have a £44m release clause (Via Daily Mail) and given his form one would have to guess that Atletico wouldn’t accept a penny less.
Koke (Atletico Madrid) £44m (£30m plus Filipe Luis)
Yes, another Atletico Madrid man, and another player that will cost Chelsea a big fee.
Koke is superb creative midfield talent, providing assists with regularity over the past two seasons, and is perhaps seen as a replacement for Brazilian Oscar.
The 23 year old has seen his side fall away in their bid to retain their domestic title and may feel the time is right for a fresh challenge.
Once again, Chelsea are unlikely to secure Koke for less than his reported £44m release clause (via Daily Express) though many sources suggest the Blues may look to offset some of that cost by offering Filipe Luis back to the club in a player plus cash offer.
Raphael Varane (Real Madrid) £30m
The French international was brought from Lens to Real Madrid by Mourinho and the former Bernabeu boss offered the youngster his first big break and now wants to lure the centre-back to Stamford Bridge.
The Daily Express believes such a move would set the West London side back around £30m and Mourinho may see Varane as an ideal long term replacement for veteran captain John Terry.