Chelsea are keen on securing the signature of FC Porto left-back Alex Telles. Some sources are claiming that the Brazilian defender is attracting interest from Premier League clubs like Chelsea and Liverpool while the Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keeping tabs on the player.
It is understood that the Blues are stepping up their interest and are on the verge of winning the race to secure his signature in a deal worth to be in the region of £25m from FC Porto. The Portuguese League leaders are asking for a figure close to £30m for their prized asset with the Blues wary that it might upset the balance relating to Financial Fair Play and are planning to push through negotiations with their initial offer.
Apparently, the West London club are interested in acquiring another left-sided full-back to provide competition to their current defender Marcos Alonso, after they were unable to bring in another left-back last summer and are understood to have monitored Telles’ progress in Portugal.
The Blues of London were also tracking Juventus and Brazilian full-back Alex Sandra last year but some representatives inside the club were reluctant to pay the Turin side’s asking price of £60m. They are now ready to pounce on the signature of Telles during this January transfer window in an attempt to address their underlying issue.
Alex Telles has been in fine form for FC Porto this season. He has made 26 appearances for the club, scoring once and making a whopping 12 assists in all competitions. His displays in the Portuguese league helped his team climb to the top of the league standings. He has also caught the eye with his performances in the Champions League and now subject to interest from two of the heavyweights of the Premier League.
Chelsea are currently in third place in the Premier League standings and it’s been partly down to Marcos Alonso’s contributions from the left-back position. The Spanish defender has been excellent for the Blues this season which has seen him score 6 goals and grab 2 assists in 28 league matches so far. The 27-year-old has made a habit of scoring crucial goals as evidenced by his goals against their fellow London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
It is hard to see Telles get any time for the Blues with Marcos Alonso in such great form. However, Chelsea are still fighting in four different competitions going into the second half of the season so the addition of Telles for added cover in the full-back position will benefit their cause.
It remains to be seen whether they are successful in their effort to land the Brazilian full-back this month.
