Rumour: Chelsea linked with Benfica duo Lazar Markovic and Nemanja Matic

Benfica’s Lima (L) celebrates beside team mate Markovic.

The Mirror are reporting that Chelsea are set to mount a double move for Benfica duo Lazar Markovic and Nemanja Matic. The Portugeuse side are in financial trouble, meaning that Jose Mourinho’s swoop upon his homeland could see the Stamford Bridge club pick up the pair at bargain prices.

Benfica were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage and are strapped for cash. This means that central midfielder Matic could be available for around £20 million. If the 25 year old were to join Chelsea then he would be starting a second spell at the club, having left in 2011 as part of the deal that took David Luiz to West London. Since his move, the Serb has evolved into one of the continent’s best midfield players.

Markovic would cost Mourinho £12 million, and could return to Portugal on loan should he sign. The 19-year-old Serb can play on the wing or as a central striker, and has only made 11 appearances for the club since joining from Partisan Belgrade in the summer. Prior to his move, Markovic had been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, and with Benfica in financial difficulties it would appear that Jose Mourinho is once again looking at the winger. Despite his youth, Markovic has already made nine appearances for the Serbian national team, scoring two goals.

Both Matic and Markovic created four chances each in Benfica’s Champions League campaign, the joint third amongst the club’s players. The youngster also has a 100% shot accuracy  in Europe.