Chelsea have been monitoring Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt despite Sevilla's Jules Kounde remaining the priority defensive target, according to reports.
The 22-year-old has a €120m release clause in his current contract at the Serie A side, which is due to expire in 2024.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have been monitoring De Ligt 'for months' despite having alternative defensive priorities.
Thomas Tuchel will be looking to make additions to his defence in the summer window, with Antonio Rudiger having completed a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Andreas Christensen is also set to depart Chelsea upon the expiry of his contract.
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Furthermore, captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been the subject of interest from Barcelona, who could look to sign the Spaniard despite him penning an automatic extension at Stamford Bridge for another season.
Chelsea are short of options at the back, with Tuchel preferring a back three during his time at the club. As things stand, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Azpilicueta and Malang Sarr are the only senior central defenders currently at the club, with the likes of Levi Colwill and Ethan Ampadu set to return from loan moves for pre-season.
Therefore, defensive reinforcements will no doubt arrive in the summer, with Sevilla's Kounde heavily linked with a move to London this summer.
Speaking following last summer's transfer window, where Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for the 23-year-old, Tuchel admitted: "It was clear we tried for Kounde and Saul (Niguez) and it was very, very late but it was a very, very smooth transfer window because I had full concentration on training and on my team."
The French international did not arrive at Stamford Bridge but looks set to join Tuchel's side this summer, with the Blues in desperate need of defenders.
Romano continues to report that De Ligt is 'not making life easy' for Juventus, who are looking to tie him down to an extension, by the Dutch defender will only agree to a new contract in Turin if his current release clause is lowered.
If the Blues look for an additional centre-back to sign alongside Kounde this summer, De Ligt 'increasingly looks like a serious option' for Chelsea.
It remains to be seen as to who will be signed this summer, with Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly also linked with a move to England in recent weeks as Kounde edges closer to sealing his transfer to Chelsea.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Jules Kounde, Juventus, Matthijs De Ligt
Nick Emms