Chelsea have now made a breakthrough in talks with Leicester City over the signing of Ben Chilwell and are closing in on a deal to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old is one of Frank Lampard’s top summer targets after becoming an established player in the Premier League with Leicester City who finished fifth on the table last season.
Leicester value Chilwell around £80million – the same fee they were paid by Manchester United for Harry Maguire – and the fee is expected to be a record for a left-back in the world.
Lucas Hernadez currently has the record after signing for Bayern Munich in a £68 million move from Atletico Madrid in 2019.
And Manchester City’s full-back Benjamin Mendy holds the Premier League record, having joined Guardiola’s side for £52m from Monaco in 2017.
However, According to The Times, Ben Chilwell’s fee may be more than both – as Chelsea and Leicester are close to agreeing a fee for the left-back.
And It is set to be a summer of huge spending for the blues – Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have already joined for a combined £86m, while Kai Havertz will likely join the club from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could be worth up to £90m.
A goalkeeper is also wanted by Chelsea but Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak who is valued at £108m, is set to be out of their reach this summer window.
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There are expected to be departures from the club this summer, with Frank Lampard planning on trimming his squad to raise funds for summer targets.
One of current left-back options Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri will be expected to move on if Chilwell does arrive.
One of the current left-backs, Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri is expected to leave when the England international arrives. And Michy Batshuayi is expected to leave after the arrival of Timo Werner.
