Thomas Tuchel wants Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao to ease the looming defensive crisis at Chelsea.
The Brazilian, 24, is top of the Blues boss’ list of players he would like to sign this summer, according to reports in Spain.
Militao has been impressive for Los Blancos this term but remains one of the Spanish giant’s lowest paid players.
And Tuchel knows he desperately needs to strengthen at the back this summer given the likely departures from Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and skipper Cesar Azpilicueta are all out of contract in West London at the end of the season.
Though Chelsea would like to keep all three players, that appears unlikely and they may all exit the capital.
That would leave the German coach with Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr as the only options at the heart of his backline.
The European champions will face a tricky task to secure Militao’s signature as he is under contact at Real until 2025.
The 20-cap international has played 21 times in LaLiga this term and given Real paid Porto £41million for his services two-and-a-half years ago, the Sao Paulo native will not come cheap.
In other news
After coming close to leaving in the summer, the Times report that Bernardo Silva is in talks over a new long-term deal at Manchester City.
90min suggest that the Citizens are on a list of clubs featuring Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham that have been given the chance to sign Paulo Dybala from Juventus at the end of the season.
Spanish outlet Sport claim Manchester United and Juventus are the two clubs Barcelona believe want to sign Ousmane Dembele for free in the summer.