Chelsea are ready to consider a shock swoop for former academy star Tino Livramento after talks between Southampton and Newcastle United broke down for the youngster, it has been reported.
The Magpies were thought to be keen on signing Livramento this summer, but were only willing to stump up a fee of around £20m to get the deal done for the promising right back, who has just returned from a season-long knee injury.
However, relegated Southampton were holding out for closer to £38m, a fee which Newcastle deemed too expensive for a player who would begin their St James’ Park career as backup to Kieran Trippier.
According to the Daily Mail, this has left the door open for Chelsea to enter the race, with the Blues having a 20% sell on fee for any deal struck over Livramento.
They claim that the west London side ‘have held talks’ with Southampton over a deal that would see him loaned back to the Saints for the upcoming season in a bid to return to his pre-injury form.
With Southampton holding out for £38m, the sell-on clause would see Chelsea pay just over £30m for his services when taken into account.
In the two years since his departure, though James has become somewhat injury prone the Blues have added Lyon defender Malo Gusto (19), further pushing Livramento down any potential pecking order in west London.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are working on deals for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo and young Brazilian star Matheus Franca, with the pair both admired by London rivals Arsenal too.
