Chelsea transfer news: Blues dealt blow in Koke chase as midfielder insists he won't leave Atletico Madrid

 

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Staying put: Koke wants to remain in Madrid
Simon Johnson15 May 2015

Chelsea have suffered a major blow after summer transfer target Koke insisted he is staying at Atletico Madrid.

Koke has been earmarked by manager Jose Mourinho as one of the main transfer targets to improve his title-winning squad.

Atletico don't want to sell the midfielder or his team-mate Antoine Griezmann, who Chelsea also want to buy.

The La Liga club want to increase the release clauses in the duos respective contracts to £100m each, but Koke is not interested in leaving the Spanish capital for London anyway.

When asked if he will be staying at Atletico, he said: “Yes, I will play here."

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Chelsea were hoping to include Atletico's interest in resigning Filipe Luis as a means of starting negotiations for both players.

Griezmann is believed to be more willing to move to Chelsea and agent Jorge Mendes, who represents Mourinho as well, is now his representative and is trying to broker a deal.

Luis has made a minimal impact since joining from Atletico for £16m last summer and is keen to rejoin Diego Simeone's side.

Koke is certainly hoping the Brazil international is given the opportunity to return and added: “Filipe is more than a team-mate, he is a friend, so he would be welcome here."

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