The fee for Cech represents a tidy bit of business for the Stamford Bridge outfit. Not only does it help the club adhere to UEFA's Financial Fair Play guidelines, but it provides a nice lining for the SW6 coffers and could be the catalyst for further deals in the coming days.
One player that has been constantly linked with a move to Chelsea is Atletico Madrid's France international forward, Antoine Griezmann. Despite his French nationality, 24-year-old Griezmann has spent his entire professional career in Spain having been scouted and signed by Real Sociedad in 2005.
Atleti paid Sociedad £24 million for the Frenchman's services last summer and the payback was immediate: Greizmann plundered 25 goals in 54 appearances for Los Rojiblancos. Netting 22 times in 37 games in La Liga made him La Liga's third-highest scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, a feat which brought him to the attention of a host of top European clubs with Chelsea heading the list.
Last summer saw two players, defender Filipe Luis and striker Diego Costa, leave the Vicente Calderon for Stamford Bridge. Despite being hamstrung by injuries, Costa justified his £32 million transfer fee by scoring 21 goals in 34 appearances, though Luis failed to usurp Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back and spent much of the campaign on the bench.
With little chance of this situation changing, Chelsea are understood to have offered the Brazilian (who cost £15.8 million) back to Atleti as part of a deal to bring Greizmann to SW6.
At the start of June, Mourinho distanced the Blues from a move for Griezmann stating the Frenchman was "not within our objectives to strengthen the squad for next season" but maybe the Portuguese has since reconsidered his options as this is one transfer rumour that just won't go away.
The Special One would be right to have a change of heart because Griezmann could be just the type of player he needs if Chelsea are to successfully defend their Premier League title and mount an all-out assault on the Champions League.
Offering raw power, goals and the versatility to play on both flanks as well as down the middle, Greizmann looks built to withstand the rigours of a 60-game season -- compelling factors that will not be lost on Mourinho. After all, discounting the wild-card appeal of imminent signing Radamel Falcao, he gauges the risk of being overtly reliant on an injury (or suspension) prone Costa that leaves Eden Hazard to score the bulk of the Blues goals.
With Paris Saint-Germain also being linked with a move for Griezmann, Chelsea will need to move swiftly if they are to sign him, but given that there is clearly a good understanding between the Blues board and that of Atleti, this may count in the London club's favour.
Will a deal be done? As the speculation mounts, only Mourinho can answer that question. If the Portuguese has reviewed Chelsea's "objectives," few would argue with him as Greizmann has undoubted quality and looks every inch a Blues player.
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