Chelsea Transfer News: Koke Fee Named as Talks Begin, Latest Paul Pogba Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly opened talks with Atletico Madrid over the summer signing of midfielder Koke, although he is set to cost the Blues a significant sum.

As reported by the Mirror's John Cross, Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo recently travelled to Spain to see the 23-year-old in action, and the Stamford Bridge outfit are clearly keen on signing him up.

According to Sky Italia (h/t Jamie Sanderson in Metro), talks have now begun between the two clubs, with Koke's value stated as £46 million, and Filipe Luis potentially set to be used in a swap-deal.

Tancredi Palmeri of beIN Sports reported that Atleti are prepared to sell Koke, but clearly they value him very highly, hence the £46 million price-tag:

Left-back Luis only arrived at Chelsea from Atletico last summer, for £15 million, but he has failed to displace Cesar Azpilicueta as first choice in west London.

Thus he could well be dispensable for Blues boss Jose Mourinho, especially if Luis could be used to secure the signing of Koke, who is a high-quality player.

Koke's creative and defensive abilities from midfield, and his versatility—he can play anywhere across a midfield four—could see him complement Cesc Fabregas and Namanja Matic perfectly. 

It would also take some of the onus off Chelsea's current central midfield duo, both of whom have seemed to tire as the season has moved into its latter stages, especially Fabregas, as discussed below by Bleacher Report's Garry Hayes and Adam Lefkoe:

Koke does indeed look like a perfect fit for Chelsea, and though he will not come cheap, he would be an excellent purchase for them in the summer.

Pogba Boost after Barca Interest Cools

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Paul Pogba's potential departure from Juventus is set to be the transfer story of the summer. Chelsea are one of just many top European clubs being linked with the French superstar, per Uche Amako in the Express.

However, Barcelona looked to have moved ahead of the pack in the race to sign the 22-year-old midfielder when it was recently reported that they had put in a bid for him, per Sport:

It seems now, though, that Barcelona are not quite as keen to sign Pogba as was previously thought, with president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently coy on the subject, per Radio Monte Carlo (h/t AS): 

"

Pogba is a great player, but in this moment we are not thinking about additions. It’s true that we have a FIFA sanction that prevents us from recruiting until January 2016. We work so that some players arrive [here], others can leave. We are preparing for next season, but we will not provide the names here. Pogba is a good player, one who has a contract with an Italian team that I respect a lot. For the moment, it is not expected that we recruit, but everyone wants to have the great players. Also, we have players that the others (clubs) would like to have.

"

Barcelona's seeming withdrawal from the Pogba race potentially opens it up for a team like Chelsea to come in and sign the former Manchester United man.

He will not come cheap, upwards of £60 million is his expected valuation, per Jason Burt in The Telegraph, but he is undoubtedly one of the world's best midfielders, and set only to improve as he gains more experience.

Chelsea look set to triumph in the Premier League this season, and the addition of Pogba in the summer would put them as hot favourites to repeat the trick next year, while also setting them up for potential Champions League glory.