The left-back merry-go-round involving three elite European clubs looks set to finally roll as Filipe Luís has finally made his return to Atlético Madrid, one year from leaving for West London.
In what feels like a process that would never end, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea have finally agreed on a fee to see Brazilian Luís return back to the Vicente Calderón. Previously it was reported that the Blues had stalled, as they continued their search for an adequate replacement ahead of the Barclays’ Premier League.
Whilst Atléti’s La Liga season begins in a little more than three weeks on the 23rd of August, José Mourinho’s Chelsea face a much earlier start to their campaign with the opening of their title defence beginning next weekend against Swansea City. With less than 14 days until the league starts, it is quite understandable on Mourinho’s behalf of delaying the deal which will leave the Blues short in depth until a replacement has been made or found.
Augsburg left-back Abdul Rahman Baba was rumoured to be the man to replace the departing Brazilian, however news has emerged of Galatasaray star Alex Telles outlined as the potential replacement to provide competition to Cesar Azpilicueta for the left-back role.
With the supposed target Mourinho wants identified, all that was needed was the sale of Luís to Atléti to fund the move. However, it appeared that the Madrid Club was waiting for a deal to see fellow Brazilian Guilherme Siqueira depart first with a return to the Serie A and a place among Champions League finalists Juventus, before completing the move for Luís, however Diego Simeone has decided to move quickly to secure his man.
News today stated by Atléti’s Sporting Director José Luis Pérez Caminero, confirmed the agreement for the transfer from Chelsea and the arrival of the former defender.
“We all know [Filipe] Luís. We strengthen ourselves with one of the most talented wingers in the world. He already knows our Club and our way of playing so he will adapt quickly”.
The process of recruiting Luís has seen Siqueira deemed surplus to requirements in the Spanish capital with the 29-year-old following the footsteps of Mario Mandžukić, departing a little over a year later from arriving from La Liga opposition Granada for €10 million.
Siqueira featured 24 times for Atléti and alongside fellow 2014-15 recruit Jesús Gámez, took in the left-back role made available from the departed Luís, however, it seemed at times Simeone would prefer the Spaniard over the Brazilian in the tougher fixtures, with Siqueira’s defence qualities questionable.
Juve are looking to be interested in a season-long loan with a view of a permanent transfer for the former Granada defender, according to Sky Sport Italia, Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri has held talks with Siqueira and the player’s representatives last week, in a bid to convince him to move to the reigning Serie A champions.
The 29-year-old is rumoured to be interested in a move back to Italy, as having had previous spells with the Udinese first team as well as featuring for the Inter Milan and Lazio youth team, he is well accustomed to the league and country.
With the pending departure of Siqueira, Simeone has finally completed the move for former left-back Luís who will automatically slot into the first team ahead of the new season, with Gámez again providing competition and depth.
The Brazilian had already arrived in Madrid ahead of the move to undergo a medical last week, and only awaited the official confirmation from both clubs before making an announcement. Now Luís is an Atléti player once again for a reported €16 million, and signed a four-year contract after featuring little in the Premier League.
Luís, 29, featured 26 times for the Blues and scored only once, in the 3-1 quarter-final League Cup victory away to Derby County, a trophy Chelsea would go on to win, yet it was the Spaniard Azpilicueta who featured in the final against Tottenham.
While interest from Inter Milan had been made, Luís always had his heart set on returning to the Vicente Calderón, to feature again under Simeone and play regularly in the starting line-up.
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The Brazilian has been reportedly been training at the club’s facilities, now set to link-up with Simeone and his players in Burgo de Osma to continue with their preseason schedule.
Now that the move has materialised and become official, the merry-go-round of left-backs looks to occur with Siqueira heading to Turin and Mourinho’s Chelsea to immediately invest the money from the sale of Luís to capture promising fellow Brazilian Telles ahead of the season opener less than two weeks away, with each elite European club apparently getting the man they want.
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