Rumour: Chelsea set to sign Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis for around £20m

Filipe Luis

Chelsea are set to sign Atletico Madrid full-back Filipe Luis this summer, after they agreed to pay the €25m release clause in his contract, according to Italian journalist, Gianluca Di Marzio.

Chelsea have been in the market for a new left-back all summer after failing to come to an agreement with Ashley Cole, with the long-time Stamford Bridge servant having opted to leave the club at the end of his contract after playing second fiddle to natural right-back Cesar Azpilicueta for the majority of the season.

Filipe Luis was believed to be high on their list after impressing in Atletico’s run to the Champions League final and domestic title success and it appears Chelsea have finally got their man to complete their raid on the Spanish club.

Chelsea have already agreed a deal to sign Tiago on a free transfer and Diego Costa is nearing a move to the Blues after his buy-out clause was also met, while Thibaut Courtois has returned to Stamford Bridge after concluding his loan spell at Vicente Calderon.

Filipe’s imminent arrival pours fresh doubt upon the future of Ryan Bertrand with the young Englishman unhappy with a lack of first team appearances for Chelsea, while it also clears the path for Manchester United to have a free run at the signature of Luke Shaw, with Chelsea mooted as the main competition for the Southampton youngster.

Atletico have already been busy in the transfer market having accepted the departure of Filipe, with Guilherme Siqueira already signed as a replacement from Benfica.

Filipe Luis made 107 successful tackles last season, winning 64% of his contested challenges.