Chelsea Transfer News: Thiago Maia Interest Reported, Romelu Lukaku Rumours

Chelsea are set to move for Santos midfielder Thiago Maia in a potential £15 million deal.

That’s according to Simon Mullock of the Daily Mirror, who reported that manager Antonio Conte is set to step up his summer recruitment. It’s noted in the piece there have already been talks staged between Maia’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, and the Blues.

“Maia will be monitored playing for Brazil at the Olympics,” continued Mullock. “The defensive midfielder has anchored Santos' midfield for two years and is due a 30 percent cut of any transfer fee.”

Just 19 years old, Maia has shown plenty of promise in the early stages of his career. Here is a glimpse at why he’s rated so highly:

Conte has stiffened up the soft centre the Blues showcased last term with the capture of N’Golo Kante. But aside from Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel, Chelsea are short of robust, holding-midfield players who can adhere to the Italian’s high-intensity blueprint. Maia has the potential to do so.

He’s been turning in consistently mature performances at the base of the Santos midfield. Maia has a great sense for danger and is able to shut down opposition attacks before they develop into something critical. In addition, he’s dynamic and composed on the ball.

The Daily Mirror’s Jack Lang is a fan of the teenager:

Maia may not be ready to feature every week for Chelsea should a deal come to fruition, but as a long-term option, there’s a lot to like about the Selecao youth international. Conte may well be the ideal mentor for the youngster too. 

However, making a move to Europe at such a young age is a risk, and it could potentially slow down the youngster’s development. Another season at Santos at the crux of the team would benefit this bright prospect.

New Romelu Lukaku Bid 'Imminent'

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According to Mullock, the Blues are also poised to increase their offer for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku to a whopping £65 million.

“Striker Loic Remy, who has been offered to Everton as a makeweight to sweeten the Lukaku deal, is surplus to requirements along with Oscar and Juan Cuadrado,” Mullock said.

After spending a season on loan at Goodison Park from Chelsea in 2013-14, Lukaku joined Everton permanently in the summer of 2014. Since making the switch, he’s grown as a player, and for the first half of the previous campaign, he was one of the standout centre-forwards in the Premier League.

These numbers from Squawka Football put the goalscoring achievements of the Belgium striker into context:

At 23, he looks ready to make another big step in his career. Of course, there are areas for him to develop, but Lukaku will feel he has a better chance of challenging for major honours elsewhere, with Everton undergoing a transitional phase under new manager Ronald Koeman.

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For the Blues, he may feel as though there is unfinished business, having failed to make good on the potential he showed at Anderlecht that prompted Chelsea to sign him in 2011.

Ell Bretland of the Daily Mail thinks the aforementioned deal would also be a good one for Everton:

According to Dominic King of the Daily Mail, Everton are ready to dig their heels in and keep Lukaku. The Toffees are reportedly “infuriated” by the Blues’ aggressive pursuit of the player.

A sum of £65 million would be tough to turn down in normal circumstances for Everton. And with the Premier League season looming, Chelsea would most likely have to part with a stratospheric amount to get a deal done.