Agent Confirms Contact With Chelsea Over Potential Deal for 'Jadon Sancho Alternative'
By Tom Gott
The agent of Porto winger Jesús Corona has confirmed that he has spoken with Chelsea about a potential transfer this summer.
With a big-money move for Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho proving problematic, Chelsea scouts are believed to have earmarked Corona (bad time to have that name) as a potential alternative to the Englishman.
Speaking to Medio Tiempo, agent Matias Bunge revealed that Chelsea have already been in touch about a potential deal, confirming that Corona comes with a release clause of €30m (around £27m).
"At some point we talked to [Chelsea]," Bunge revealed. "I cannot say if he’s option A, B or C, now they are rather rumours.
"We’ll have to wait a bit for this to continue moving forward and for the leagues to begin again, and from there see what the next movements will be because the market is a little bit stopped.
⚽ Se é para ser o primeiro, que seja assim. Que emoji para este golo?
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) January 11, 2020
? Tecatito Corona fez o primeiro golo esta época e o 25.º com a nossa camisola#FCPorto #MFCFCP @jesustecatitoc pic.twitter.com/j9L2bAjHW7
“He has two years left on his contract. He did awaken a lot of interest for his participation in this particular tournament [Liga NOS], which has been outstanding and at a high level. But now with the current situation of the virus everything has slowed down a bit, now the signings are in quarantine."
The 27-year-old, who is primarily a winger but has often been used at right-back, managed two goals and 17 assists before football was postponed, and Bunge admitted that such form had caught the eye of several teams across Europe.
"We have spoken with several teams from England, Spain, some from Germany, but well, normally at this time of year we talk more deeply, and in this market the leagues are either resuming or haven’t been able to conclude," he added.
“The current clause is €30m. From there we’ll see how things happen. Today, Jesús has been a fundamental part of Porto for several seasons and we’re going to see where it ends."
Corona is hardly the blockbuster name that Chelsea fans want to see come through the door at Stamford Bridge this summer, but with a price tag of £27m, the Mexican could prove to be a shrewd piece of business.
With Willian and Pedro both inching ever closer to the exit door, Frank Lampard will need to find some new wingers this summer. Hakim Ziyech is already on his way, and it appears as though Corona is on the list of candidates to follow suit.