CHELSEA CHASE BRAHIMI

Chelsea are reported to be close to signing FC Porto winger Yacine Brahimi, although his club have admitted to being in talks with other clubs, as the Blues try to add more players to the club this summer. The deal for Brahimi is a tough bidding war, but the club are confident of convincing the player to join them at Stamford Bridge, according to reports by Portuguese website O Jogo.

Wolfsburg, AC Milan, Premier league rival Liverpool and others are keen on landing the highly-rated Algerian winger this summer, but Chelsea hope to complete the deal within a few days. According to the reports, the deal is in advanced stages and Porto want £30million for the player. However, the club has a poor financial position and has issues with the Financial Fair Play rules, hence a fee of £15m looks more likely.

The interests in the player increased when the 26-year-old out up an impressive performance when both teams met in the group stage matches of the UEFA Champions League last season. Brahimi won the man of the match award in the leg played in Portugal and was one of the best players when they played at Stamford Bridge as well. The winger, who plays the left naturally, scored nine goals in a total of 44 appearances in the last campaign but couldn’t help Porto beyond the third position in the league. It was a surprisingly disappointing season for the club as they finished behind rivals Benfica and Sporting Lisbon.

Chelsea are also reported to have opened talks for Juventus and Spain striker Alvaro Morata, who has impressed at the Euros. Arsenal were the leading club interesteds in the player but turned their attention to a double swoop for Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez instead, allowing Chelsea to get a look-in.

The Blues retain interests in Everton forward Romelu Lukaku but also want the Spain international to join the club this summer. Morata who is currently in contract with Real Madrid could join the club on a loan deal this summer, according to the Telegraph.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s former team doctor Eva Carneiro has settled with former coach Jose Mourinho on confidential terms, according to reports. The legal case dragged until Dr Eva Carneiro and the club reached an agreement.

Dr Eva Carneiro claimed she was a victim of discrimination after her dismissal by the Blues following her row with former coach Jose Mourinho. Mourinho was unhappy with how the former team doctor tended to an Eden Hazard injury during the first game of last season, and they got into a row that led to her sack. She took the case to court but the pair has now reached to a quick settlement. Both parties issued Press Statements on the case, though details of the settlement have remained confidential.

Chelsea’s statement was apologetic, thanking the ex-team doctor for her efforts when she was with the club, adding that she was acting in the injured player’s best interest despite the former tactician berating her for doing her job. The statement was clear that they regret the circumstances that led to her leaving the club and the stress everything would have caused. There was also a bit from Mourinho thanking her and “wishing her a successful career.”

On the other hand, Eva Carneiro’s statement emphasized the stress the whole incident caused her and her family, saying she is relieved to have concluded the tribunal case. She added that her priority was the health and safety of the players and that she was following the rules of the game and her responsibilities as a medical worker. She then proceeded to thank her “husband, family and friends and members of the football community.”

The settlement is believed to be a huge financial deal for her.