Chelsea Transfer News: Rumours on Alvaro Arbeloa, Miranda

Chelsea are being linked with Real Madrid's Alvaro Arbeloa, who is rumoured to be close to an exit during the summer, as Los Blancos are eyeing a transfer for Porto's Danila, per Marca's Jose Felix Diaz and Hugo Cerezo.

The Daily Star's Jamie Anderson believes Arbeloa could well end up with the Blues, highlighting the great relationship he has with manager Jose Mourinho. The full-back still speaks in glowing terms of his former coach, via Anderson:

"

With Mourinho a boundary was crossed and at times he got so close that he was like a friend or parent to us.

He is enjoying himself now [at Chelsea] and I still talk to him, although I have a very good relationship with all my coaches, but I had good times with Mourinho.

"

The 32-year-old has started just five matches at right-back all season for Real, per WhoScored.com, and should Danilo complete a move to the Spanish capital, there would be no room for the Spanish defender in Carlo Ancelotti's squad. Daniel Carvajal is the designated starter, and Danilo would certainly be preferred as the backup.

Arbeloa's days of being a high-level starter are likely over, but as an experienced veteran, he offers some value both as a bench player and insurance in case of injuries.

Chelsea have no need for another full-back, with Branislav Ivanovic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Filipe Luis already lining up for the Blues so, on the surface, this link makes little sense.

The good relationship between Arbeloa and Mourinho can't be discounted, however. If the Spaniard is available at a discount, it wouldn't be out of the question for Mourinho to decide to give a short-term deal to a veteran player he knows and trusts.

The Blues aren't the only club linked with Arbeloa, however, and with other potential suitors like Arsenal and Liverpool sporting a bigger need at the position, the Premier League rivals will likely be willing to present Real with a more appealing transfer package.

Marca's Alberto R. Barbero believes another veteran defender is ready to leave the Spanish capital, as Atletico Madrid will entertain offers for Brazil international Miranda during the summer window.

The emergence of promising youngster Jose Maria Gimenez and his current contract, set to expire at the end of next season, all play a part in the decision:

"

Atletico are ready to listen to offers for Joao Miranda. If any of them are satisfactory to all parties involved, they are ready to let the Brazilian centre-back leave this summer.

On one hand, the club is aware that he will be 31 years old in September, and in that sense, he wants to sign the last big deal of his playing career. On the other hand, it has seen Jose Maria Gimenez slowly but surely become a tried and tested alternative at the heart of Atleti's defence.

[...]Miranda's contract is up on 30th June 2016, which means that at the end of this calendar year he will be allowed to negotiate a free transfer with any other club. In fact, that is exactly how he moved to Spain when he joined Atleti from Sao Paulo.

"

The 30-year-old was previously linked with a move to the Blues, via Caught Offside's Mark Brus, and these latest reports will likely lead to plenty more transfer speculation in the coming weeks.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

Brus' article is based on rumours Chelsea were interested in the Brazilian at the end of last season. Since then, the emergence of Kurt Zouma has severely silenced the calls for defensive reinforcements, and with Atletico likely hoping for a significant transfer fee, one can't imagine Chelsea will oblige.

As shared by WhoScored's Ali Tweedale, the young Zouma has truly been magnificent so far:

Miranda is an excellent defender on the wrong side of 30, and the Blues aren't in the habit of throwing big sums of money at an ageing player who doesn't fill a specific need in the squad.

Expect the Brazilian to leave Atletico by the end of the season, for pastures other than Stamford Bridge.

Follow @ReverschPass