Chelsea Set To Trigger £30million Release Clause Of Spaniard – Not Koke

José Mourinho is in the market for a new center-back, with previous links to Raphaël Varane, Nathaniel Clyne, and Mats Hummels, Mourinho’s new target is 20 year old, Aymeric Laporte.

Laporte is currently playing for Atletico Bilbao, where he has made 27 La Liga appearances. Laporte is one of the most exciting prospects in the world, already playing at a world-class level at such a young age. This move would make sense for Chelsea, with John Terry aging, and some people being unsatisfied with the performance of Gary Cahill, Aymeric Laporte would be a perfect fit. In five years, Laporte next to Kurt Zouma would be one of the most deadly center-back duos in the world.

Aymeric Laporte currently has a large boot deal with Adidas, and Adidas would like to see Laporte in Blue next season [Metro]. With a £30million release clause, Chelsea could certainly find the funds, with assistance from Adidas, to purchase the Frenchmen. Laporte’s arrival could certainly lead to the exiting of a player, most likely Gary Cahill. Cahill had a drop of form in the middle of the season, and has disappointed many supporters this year.

All three signings from last summer were all imported from La Liga, with Diego Costa, Cesc Fàbregas and Felipe Luis. All three players have adjusted to the English game amazingly, showing Mourinho’s capability of coaching new signings from Spain. With Frenchmen Kurt Zouma already appearing for the Chelsea first team, Mourinho should have help in convincing Laporte to leave Vicente Calderón for Stamford Bridge this summer.

Laporte would improve Mourinho’s back four greatly. Mats Hummels, Raphaël Varane, and Nathaniel Clyne also have their upsides. Some Chelsea supporters would prefer one of these center-backs over Laporte, especially Mats Hummels. Hummels has been linked to Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea for this summer. With Jürgen Klopp’s departure, BVB stars Marco Reus and İlkay Gündoğan are also linked to moves away from the Westfalenstadion. A move to Chelsea would make sense for Chelsea, but with Manchester United linked to both Laporte and Hummels; expect a bidding war between the two English clubs for the signatures of these two center-backs.