Chelsea Set to Beat Liverpool to Marcos Rojo Signing

Chelsea have reportedly begun talks with Liverpool target Marcos Rojo's club, Sporting Lisbon, over a summer move for the full-back, according to the Metro.

Liverpool were linked with the Argentine international earlier in the summer as they look to strengthen their defence, which was one of the main reasons why they lost the title to Manchester City in the previous campaign. They struggled to fill that position last season, with first choice Luis Enrique getting injured and the backup options not proving up to the mark.

The Blues are in the market for a top quality left-back after Ashley Cole left the club at the completion of his contract. During the last season Chelsea played with right-back Cezar Azpilicueta in that position, but were clearly not going to continue that in the coming season.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have been linked to various defenders over the summer and were thought to be close to signing Atletico Madrid's Felipe Luis, but seem to have been priced out of a move for the defender.

Chelsea seem to have taken a march ahead of the Reds after opening talks earlier this week and are willing to submit a bid in the region of £15m to get their man.

The Argentinian currently plays his club football in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon, a club where he finally realised his potential after an unsuccessful season in Spartak Moscow before that.

Rojo is currently on World Cup duty with Argentina and has put in some impressive performances thus far. The 24-year-old defender was only recently converted to a full-back after plying his trade as a centre-back for most part of his early career.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's new signing Diego Costa has received praise from his former manager at Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone feels that the striker will be a success at Stamford Bridge.

"I wish him the very best at Chelsea. He can still keep growing. He's at an age where he can continue to improve so let's hope he can develop further. I'm sure he'll be a success," Simeone said.

"I'm always going to be thankful to the players that give all their best. He had excellent performances while he was with us," the Atletico manager added.