Chelsea: Ben Chilwell would be a 'huge signing' says Craig Burley
Chelsea will reportedly be forced to shell out a world-record fee for a defender in order to sign Ben Chilwell from Leicester. The Blues are desperate to bolster their defensive options this summer and the Foxes full-back has been identified as a priority target.
Chelsea transfer news: Leicester could demand a world record fee for a defender for Ben Chilwell (Image: GETTY)
The Mirror claim the England international has been valued at more than £80million - the price Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire last summer.
Maguire, now captain at Old Trafford, became the world's most expensive defender ever following his transfer but Leicester are looking to beat their own record sale if they must part with Chilwell.
The 23-year-old has 11 international caps and is looking to nail down his place in the England squad ahead of next year's rescheduled Euros.
Chilwell is supposedly keen to quit the King Power Stadium for Stamford Bridge, where he can see himself playing for the next five to six years.
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And Chelsea received a big boost in their attempts to sign the left-back after qualifying for the Champions League at the expense of Leicester.
The Foxes are not averse to selling their star players, with N'Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater and Maguire all departing in recent seasons.
However, Chilwell has been with the Midlands club since the age of 12 so any transfer decision will not be made lightly.
Negotiations over the player's future are expected to gather pace this month ahead of next season, with the Premier League campaign set to get underway on September 12.
Chelsea transfer news: Frank Lampard is desperate to sign defensive reinforcements this summer (Image: GETTY)
Chelsea currently have Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri available as left-back options, while Cesar Azpilicueta also has the ability to deputise there for Lampard.
Palmieri is almost certain to be sold, with Juventus and Inter Milan keen on his signature, while the latter are also supposedly vying with Sevilla for Alonso.
If Chilwell proves too expensive, Chelsea do have several other options available this summer with Nicolas Tagliafico and Alex Telles expected to be more affordable.
Robin Gosens is also a cheaper alternative while Marc Cucurella is another young star who has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
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