Chelsea can snag €15m discount on winger if they sign him this week – but major doubts already

Chelsea were linked with Porto winger Francisco Conceicao in recent days, and today an update from top Portuguese sports paper Record claims that the Blues have a new time limit on their interest.

There’s a reported €30m release clause in his contract, but that clause will apparently increase to €45m as soon as Monday.

To make things worse, ex-Chelsea coach and now-Porto president Andre Villas Boas is apparently determined to make things difficult for his old team in any dealings. All things being equal, it sounds like he’d prefer to sell this particular gem elsewhere.

Still just 21, Conceicao had a much improved season with Porto after a failed move to Ajax last year. He has a career total of 21 goals and 20 assists and was a regular off the bench for Portugal at the Euros, scoring a memorable late winner in their opening group game against the Czech Republic, while his dad and former coach Sergio watched from the stands.

A winger who suits Maresca – but maybe not Chelsea

We’re not super convinced by these links to Conceicao. He’s a solid player with the potential to be even better, but we’re not sure he’s even on the level of Noni Madueke, let alone the level of next summer’s arrivals Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian.

The release clause does change the equation a bit, but even them, €30m is a lot if you look at our summer spending so far. We’re sure there is major budget saved up for the right target, but we’re not sure this is the right use of it.

Conceicao is exceptional in small spaces and tight games, and has excellent control and dribbling skills. We can see him fitting nicely into Enzo Maresca’s system – but that’s far from the only concern when Chelsea are signing players these days.