Chelsea set to pay Filipe Luis buyout, according to reports

Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that Chelsea have agreed to pay the release clause in the contract of Brazilian fullback Filipe Luis.

Confirmed that Filipe luis will join @chelseafc, that is going to pay the exit clause (€25M)

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) June 16, 2014

If correct, Chelsea will have a three-fullback unit easily capable of covering both positions at a high level even if one of the trio is out suspended or with injury. Luis was one of the best left backs in Europe for most of the past three seasons, and will be an outstanding addition to the Chelsea defense in the short term.

Long-term, this deal probably isn't as good as the Blues could have done by adding a younger player. Luis will turn 29 just before the start of the coming season, so it's doubtful he'll still be performing at a world class level by the expiration of his contract. Next year though, watch out. Jose Mourinho is going to have some serious decisions to make about who will start most weeks. Who knows, we might even see some rotation...