Chelsea and Manchester United both had a below par season last time. Neither of the clubs are in the Champions League and while it has been a major letdown, both the clubs are desperate to get back into Europe’s elite competition.
According to Goal.com, Chelsea and Manchester United are locked in a battle to sign Gabriel Barbosa and Thiago Maia. Modesto Roma, the Santos president is in Europe currently and has admitted that he has spoken to Chelsea, Manchester United, and Atletico Madrid. While he was careful to point out that the discussions were more in the line of partnership and alliances, it is difficult to think that way. Especially considering that the two Premier League giants are looking to buy two of Santos’ players.
Both Maia and Barbosa could be on their way out of Santos after Rio Olympics and both the players are in demand by the English giants.
Roma said to the press, “We had productive conversations. We didn’t come to buy or sell players, neither in London or Madrid. We came to build up relationships. There weren’t offers, but we did talk about partnerships. I talked to Manchester United, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid.”