Marash Kumbulla: Man Utd target trains with Hellas Verona
Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Hellas Verona ace Marash Kumbulla, according to reports. The Blues are one of several top European clubs monitoring the Serie A prospect and have now been credited with showing concrete interest in the 20-year-old.
Kumbulla is highly regarded in Italy, having made 18 league appearances for eighth-placed Hellas this term.
And Corriere dello Sport report that Chelsea have made a move towards signing the Albania international as they look to get the jump on the competition.
Inter Milan have previously been credited as favourites in the race for Kumbulla’s signature, although Lazio are now thought to be the Blues’ main competition.
Reports from Italy earlier this month also suggested that Arsenal, Everton and RB Leipzig were in contention for the defender who has been compared to a ‘young Giorgio Chiellini’.
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Guaranteed game time may be harder to come by at Chelsea, where there is fierce competition for places in central defence.
Frank Lampard appears to have settled on Antonio Rudiger as his first-choice centre-back but Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori have all rotated so far this season.
However, Kumbulla may fancy himself to make an impact at Stamford Bridge where the latest generation of youth talent has been given a chance to impress under the latest regime.
Former Juventus and Italy defender Federico Balzaretti has praised the Hellas ace for his mentality and commitment to defending, first and foremost.
Chelsea transfer news: Kumbulla has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Hellas Verona (Image: GETTY)
“In the last few years, defenders are formed who are good at building the play but have problems in the defensive phase,” Balzaretti told Goal.
“Kumbulla, on the other hand, is a ‘defender’ defender. The first thing he thinks of is defending his goal and not conceding. Kumbulla reminds me a little of a young Giorgio Chiellini.”
Chelsea will need to move fast if they are to snap up Kumbulla before the opposition, but any deal is unlikely to be the only business taking place at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Lampard is looking to make the most of the club’s recent transfer ban being lifted and overhaul his squad in the transfer window.
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A £33m deal for Hakim Ziyech was already agreed in February, with the Moroccan winger set to join Chelsea at the end of the current campaign.
Meanwhile, a new striker is required with Moussa Dembele identified as a priority target and Jadon Sancho has been heavily linked with a move to west London.
Ben Chilwell is first choice to replace either Emerson Palmieri or Marcos Alonso while Willian and Pedro are both out of contract and Michy Batshuayi, Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko are all expected to move on.