Chelsea Transfer News: Antoine Griezmann and Koke Double Blow, Paul Pogba Latest

Atletico Madrid are looking to lock down key stars Antoine Griezmann and Koke by upping their buyout clauses, according to Dominic Fifield of the Guardian.

This is an attempt to "ward off Chelsea's interest" by raising both players' clauses to "nearer" £100 million. According to Fifield, the contracts of both players currently have approximate buyout clauses of £43 million inked in.

Koke has suggested he isn't open to a move even if Chelsea offer major cash, telling AS (h/t the Guardian), "Yes, I will play here [at the Vicente Calderon]" when asked about his future.

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Fifield believes Chelsea's interest in the creative midfielder has been "long-standing" but that the player is "happy in Spain." Blues boss Jose Mourinho doesn't have an obvious place to slot Koke into his first team without upsetting the balance of his title-winning side.

He can be compared to Cesc Fabregas—clever on the ball, a hub through which most of Atletico's play passes through—but is naturally more combative than his fellow Spaniard.

Fifield also believes Griezmann's "versatility would appeal to Mourinho," who has watched the player's development over the last two years. Few expected Griezmann to hit 22 La Liga goals in his debut season for the club, a year in which his ability to play out wide or through the middle has been highlighted brilliantly by Atletico boss Diego Simeone.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Griezmann could perhaps replace Willian at Chelsea, although it's risky for Mourinho to remove the Brazilian's industry from his lineup. Griezmann is said to be "open" to a move to the Premier League, according to Fifield, but it seems as if much of Mourinho's summer budget will need to be sent Atletico's way if he's going to end up at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea Set £50m Pogba Limit?

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David Woods of the Daily Star believes the west London club will set a limit of £50 million on their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba. He says club owner Roman Abramovich is not willing to drop "silly money" on players and that adhering to UEFA's financial fair play rules should be a priority for the club.

Mourinho previously sold the likes of Juan Mata, David Luiz and Kevin De Bruyne to fund moves for Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. He also moved Andre Schurrle in January, bringing in Juan Cuadrado as his replacement, so he is well-versed with a one-in, one-out policy.

However, it's difficult to suggest Mourinho will want to get rid of anyone who can significantly cut into Pogba's price.

B/R UK's Garry Hayes recently named a potential dream team for Chelsea:

Pogba's eventual exit from Juventus is destined to be the transfer story of the summer. Mourinho isn't the type to sit on his laurels, even though his side captured the Premier League with little hassle. He needs an extra smattering of world-class stars to become a force on the continent.

Pogba, Griezmann and Koke fall into this category and should represent serious targets for the club.