Chelsea owner Todd Boehly held talks about purchasing a Portuguese club in the summer

Chelsea have held talks over purchasing a Portuguese team as part of the owners’ plan to implement a multi-club model followed by the Red Bull football group and Manchester City.

Co-controlling owner Todd Boehly is understood to have held initial discussions with the club’s academy manager Neil Bath and high-profile agent Jorge Mendes, who is Portuguese, earlier this summer.

During the talks it is believed the concept of purchasing a Portuguese club was discussed.

Such a move would enable the Stamford Bridge club to send their most promising young talent out to secure valuable first-team football but continue under the Chelsea umbrella.

Bath is understood to have been working on identifying which club would be most suitable for the club to recruit as a sister team.

Mendes’ connections in Portugal would make the intermediary a suitable conduit to facilitate a deal should Chelsea decide to make a formal approach a club.

The American met with super agent Jorge Mendes (pictured) to discuss initial plans over following the lead of Red Bull and the City Football Group in having a network of clubs

Boehly believes Portugal represents a good opportunity to extend Chelsea’s global footprint given its position as one of the best outside Europe’s recognised top five divisions.

Portugal consistently produces young footballers who go on to have excellent careers elsewhere in Europe.

Speaking earlier this week, Boehly confirmed his plan to expand Chelsea’s portfolio of teams to enable a pathway to senior football for Chelsea’s young players who aren’t quite ready for the Blues first team.

Chelsea’s incoming sporting director would be heavily involved in the club’s foreign expansion,.

Neil…