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Chelsea monitor surprise centre-back target as Blues consider options beyond Declan Rice
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, according to reports.
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Chelsea could turn to Brighton ace Lewis Dunk in order to solve their defensive issues this summer. The Blues have been linked with a surprise move for the England international as an alternative to priority target Declan Rice.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard is currently overseeing a squad overhaul at Stamford Bridge with the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner already secured.
The Blues are currently in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen over a move for Kai Havertz while Ben Chilwell has also been identified as No 1 choice at left-back.
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Meanwhile, the west London club are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper with Kepa Arrizabalaga expected to leave this summer while reinforcements in central defence are desired.
West Ham star Rice has been touted as Chelsea's preferred target, with Lampard keen on converting the 21-year-old midfielder back to his original position as a centre-back.
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But the Blues are also keeping their options open in case the Hammers are reluctant to sell their prized asset, and Dunk is the latest name linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
Football Insider claim Chelsea are pondering a shock move for the Brighton ace, who has earned one international cap for England.
The 28-year-old has been with the south coast club his entire career but is now being considered for a move to the capital.
Chelsea are yet to make an offer for Dunk but it is well known that they are after reinforcements after posting the worst defensive record in the top half of the Premier League.
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The centre-back is more experienced in the Championship, having clocked up 164 appearances in the second tier, but has been a mainstay of the Seagulls defence since their promotion three years ago.
Dunk has started 110 of Brighton's 114 Premier League games, including 36 of this season's 38 fixtures.
The defender has three years remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium and is set to cost more than £30million, although this would still be significantly cheaper than Rice.
Dunk has previously been loosely linked with Liverpool and Leicester but no move has ever materialised.
Now he is being considered by the Chelsea hierarchy with Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen all failing to convince consistently.
The Blues could look to sell one of these defenders in order to raise funds for further additions, while one of Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri is also likely to depart.
Meanwhile, Michy Batshuayi and Tiemoue Bakayoko are expected to be sold if a buyer can be found while Willian and Pedro are out of contract.
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