Chelsea have made official enquiry to Premier League club about signing their £50m defender this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea are set to make a number of big moves during the summer transfer window in an attempt to take their squad to the next level.

Enzo Maresca is likely to remain in his position as manager of the club going into next season, however he will need subsequent backing in order to succeed and help them mount a serious Premier League title charge.

One area where backing will be essential is the centre-back position. Despite the manager having his favourites, one of those is simply unable to take to the field regular enough.

Wesley Fofana’s season is over, and even though he featured more this season than the zero minutes he managed in the prior campaign, the Blues have not been able to rely on him.

This has left them searching the transfer market for an option who can be a long-term partner for Levi Colwill, who has a great future and is admired by the club.

Chelsea enquire into signing Dean Huijsen

One of the players they have been considering is Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, with the Blues being one of a number of top clubs who have been made aware of his immense talents.

Huijsen recently starred for Spain alongside Marc Cucurella, and given his reported release clause looks like he is about to be a steal for whoever secures his signature.

It has been claimed he will be available for a fee of around £50m, and Chelsea have very much inserted themselves into the conversation for potential suitors.

According to David Ornstein, the Blues have launched an official enquiry into the potential of signing Huijsen this summer.

He said to The Athletic: “Yes, I now understand that Liverpool are among the clubs with a firm interest in Dean Huijsen. This has been reported elsewhere and is accurate. Chelsea have enquired and Arsenal are in the mix, too.

“At the moment those are perhaps the three leading contenders but not the only ones, with Newcastle and Tottenham also keen. I believe they have all held meetings or conversations with Huijsen’s camp in the last week but I’m not aware of offers being made just yet, so the direction of travel remains unclear.”

Chelsea’s other centre-back targets

Despite Chelsea being massive fans of Huijsen, there are a number of other candidates on their list for potential centre-back signings.

The Blues are long-term admirers of Marc Guehi since they let him leave the club as a young centre-back, with him now boasting Premier League experience as Crystal Palace captain.

Chelsea have also made an attempt to sign Ibrahima Konate, however will be aware that it will be difficult to convince the Frenchman to leave champions-elect Liverpool.