Porto expected to stand firm on potential Chelsea target Alex Telles €40m asking price — reports

Alex Telles’ contract situation and Chelsea’s need for a left-back were always destined to collide and they finally did last week with the first reports emerging about Chelsea’s reported interest in the Brazil international for summer 2020.

This week, there are further reports from A Bola (via Sport Witness) and Record (via Sport Witness) regarding the situation.

While Chelsea would have been hoping to acquire the 27-year-old at a discounted price, it appears that Porto are in no mood for any favors (ed.note: surprise! NOT) and will not let the left back leave for anything less than his release clause of €40m — despite a contract that’s expiring in 2021.

Porto are never easy to deal with, and they’ll know the value of their starting left back in an already inflated transfer market. It’s only logical on their part to try and obtain the maximum fee for him, especially when players like Ben Chilwell are reported to have an asking price of £80m.

The most likely scenario is still an eventual bidding war, where Telles’ personal preference coming into the picture. Chelsea (and the Portuguese press) seem quite optimistic about a deal getting done, for what it’s worth, so that’s positive to hear.

Stay tuned.