Filipe Luis close to Chelsea exit as Tomas Kalas joins Middlesbrough

Chelsea defender Filipe Luis is in talks to rejoin former club Atletico Madrid just 12 months on from joining the Premier League champions.

Filipe Luis moved to Stamford Bridge last summer but made just nine Premier League starts in his maiden campaign in English football, being unable to leapfrog Cesar Azpilicueta in the pecking order.

Club stalwarts Didier Drogba and Petr Cech are the only players to leave Chelsea so far this summer, but Filipe Luis could join them after Atletico president Enrique Cerezo admitted talks had begun between the two parties.

"There are negotiations in place but I don't know how fruitful they will be," Cerezo said to the Spanish media according to Sky Sports. "Filipe Luis is a magnificent player.

"We would be delighted if he comes back and I think that in the end, we will find a solution.

"As always, the financial aspect takes precedence over the sentimental aspect but I believe a deal can be reached."

Having allowed Ashley Cole to leave last summer, the departure of Luis would leave Chelsea short of numbers at left-back and could force Jose Mourinho into dipping into the transfer market to replace the Brazilian international.

While just two players have left Chelsea permanently, 11 have already departed on loan deals – the latest of which sees Tomas Kalas join Middlesbrough for a second straight campaign.

The Czech Republic international moved to Boro in the January transfer window last season and will resume his career in the North East for the whole of the 2015-16 season

"I'd already decided at the end of last season that if Chelsea would like to get me on loan again, this would be my first choice, so it was easy when I heard I could stay," he said according to Sky Sports.

"It's been easy to adapt because I know the lads. I think we're still building the team. It's a mix of everything. Everyone is still working on it and I think we will be stronger than before."