Sportitalia (via Football-Italia.net) are reporting that Inter Milan and Valencia have come to an agreement on a loan swap which would see right back Joao Cancelo move to Italy and midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia make the switch in the opposite direction.
Portuguese international Cancelo had been looked at as a potential option for Chelsea to strengthen the right wing back position but Inter are now firm favourites for the 23 year old.
The loan includes an option to buy the defender for €32m or £29m, with personal terms having also been agreed with the player receiving €2m a season. Kondogbia’s loan to Valencia also includes a purchase option of €28m plus a 20% sell-on clause.
Chelsea have been tracking Cancelo’s international team mate Cedric Soares as a possible alternative. Evening Standard journalist Simon Johnson is reporting that the Blues have recently stepped up their interest in the full back, most likely off the back of the news that Cancelo has opted for Inter.
Rated at £20m, the Southampton defender already has Premier League experience and may prove a more astute purchase than his fellow countryman.