Chelsea to step up Baba chase

Chelsea are reportedly ready to step up their pursuit of Augsburg defender Baba Rahman, due to the imminent exit of Filipe Luis.

The English champions already face stiff competition from AS Roma, with Uefa Champions League finalists Juventus said to have joined the fray to land the £15 million (€20m) rated left-back in recent days.

The Dailymail has reported that Filipe Luis can make a return to former club Atletico Madrid this summer - a move that frees up space for the arrival of the higly-rated Ghana international.

The 29-year-old Filipe failed to make an impression at Stamford Bridge after joining from the Vicente Calderon side last summer and is said to have the two clubs agreed on an £11m cut price for his return to Spain anytime soon. Atletico want Luis to arrive and have his medical on Wednesday, claims the Dailymail.

With space being created for Baba, Chelsea are said to be eager to move into negotiations with Augsburg and possibly have the 21-year-old available for manager Jose Mourinho, who would want him to arrive before the FA Community Shield against Arsenal on August 2.