Chelsea are optimistic that they can beat Manchester City to the signing of FC Augsburg’s Abdul Rahman Baba, as Jose Mourinho could be in need of replacing a Stamford Bridge left-back this summer.
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The 20-year-old starred in the Bundesliga last season, as Augsburg finished an impressive fifth in Germany’s top flight – a far higher position than may have been expected before the start of the campaign.
Rahman recorded the highest average number of tackles in the Bundesliga last term – averaging 4.8 per-game – and despite being just 20, he has already earned 15 senior caps for Ghana.
Jose Mourinho may be in the market for a left-back this summer, with reports suggesting that Filipe Luis – after a disappointing maiden season of inactivity at Stamford Bridge – could be returning to Atletico Madrid, the International Business Times report.
Cesar Azpilicueta is currently the undisputed first-choice in this position for the west London giants. The Spaniard made 29 starts in in the Premier League for the Blues last season, compared to Filipe Luis’s nine – and the Brazilian may have grown fed up with life in the English capital just a year after joining.
Atleti boss Diego Simeone has previously stated his eagerness for the Brazil international to return to the Estadio Vicente Calderon, saying, “[Filipe Luis] is a player we like a lot as a kid but who also knows us well and has given a lot to the team,” as quoted by the Daily Star.
“I hope it happens.”
Nonetheless, despite the Daily Star suggesting that Chelsea are leading the chase for Rahman’s signature, Augsburg manager Stefan Reuter last week denied that they have received any offer for the youngster.
“There is nothing concrete on our desk regarding Rahman Baba,” he said, as quoted by the Express.
“We are excited by his performances for our club and we can say that he has said he is happy to be here. The rumours are pure speculation at the moment.”