Chelsea are plotting a shock move for Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan, according to reports in Portugal.
The 27-year-old winger has been a consistent performer for Benfica since joining the club in 2010. The versatile winger can play in all three positions upfront and has been included in the Argentina’s 30-man provisional squad for the 2015 Copa America.
Gaitan had been linked with a move to Manchester United in the past. In fact, hardly any transfer window went by where he wasn’t linked with the Old Trafford club, but somehow the deal never materialised.
United seem to have moved on from the perennial Gaitan-saga, as Louis van Gaal, the new manager, wants to bring in players he likes. United scouts do keep track of other players in the Portuguese league, but certainly they have no interest in the Benfica forward.
Portugal newspaper A Bola (newspaper edition) claim today that Premier League giants Chelsea and Spanish club Valencia are both interested in signing him. Gaitan has a €35m release clause, but Benfica are hoping his market value would rise with a good Copa America campaign this summer.
They add that Chelsea have been observing him in the past few weeks and that Gaitan’s exit from Benfica is a likely scenario. Nothing really concrete here. No actual offer. No bids. Nothing.
It is indeed a shock move, as last thing Chelsea need in the summer is to sign another winger and disrupt the team chemistry and balance of the side. Already they have Eden Hazard, Juan Cuadrado, Oscar and Willian in their ranks, while Mohamed Salah could be recalled after the Egyptian enjoyed a fine campaign with Fiorentina. So, there’s hardly any need to spend big money on another winger, unless Mourinho finds something special in him.
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