Former Chelsea player Tiago Mendes, who could rejoin the club in summer on a free transfer, played a key role in persuading Diego Costa and Filipe Luis to join Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Last week El Confidencial reported that renowned Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes was due to meet Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin to conclude a €50m deal for Diego Costa and Filipe Luis.

Chelsea are close to wrapping up a deal for Costa, having already completed a medical, with The Telegraph reporting they expect to seal the deal within this week. Likewise, a deal for Luis isn’t far away either with Atletico having signed his replacement, Guilherme Siqueira. 

El Confidencial now reports Tiago played a huge part in convincing the two players to join Chelsea. He took the role of a motivator and urged them to join the Blues. It is his drive from behind that helped the deal function smoothly.

Tiago, who was signed by Jose Mourinho, during his first spell at Chelsea, could also return back to the club on a free transfer.