According to respected Sky Italia journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign the talented Alex Telles from Turkish side Galatasaray – a replacement for Filipe Luis, whose return to Atletico Madrid was confirmed early on Tuesday.
#Chelsea, vicino Alex #Telles del #Galatasaray http://t.co/pwtztsm75d #Calciomercato
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) July 27, 2015
The Blues have reportedly beaten off interest from Italian duo Juventus and Inter to the 22-year-old Brazilian, who would move after just one and a half seasons with the Turkish Champions.
Despite links with FC Augsburg’s Baba Rahman, Telles presents a cheaper option for Chelsea, with the board believing a fee of £8 million sufficient to prise the more attack-minded full back away from his current club, compared to the £15 million that Augsburg have asked for, with Abramovich looking to build a club able to survive within their own means.
With the Premier League Season just two weeks away, Chelsea are undoubtedly still somewhat short in defensive options. Telles would offer a different option to the somewhat immovable Azpilicueta, who has made the left back position his own in the last two seasons.
Whilst it’s hard to see the young Brazilian displace him, he allows more flexibility in the back line, with Azpilicueta able to move back to his original position at right back and Ivanovic offering another option at centre back should a rumoured deal for John Stones not materialise.
