By Daily Sports on June 6, 2020

Chelsea are actively working towards securing the signing of Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell after meeting Timo Werner's £54 million (€60m/$68m) release clause at RB Leipzig.

Neither Liverpool nor Manchester United were willing to pay that sum for the 24-year-old forward, allowing the Blues to close in on their second signing ahead of next season.

Manager Frank Lampard and defender Antonio Rudiger both spoke to Werner directly before he agreed on a move to Stamford Bridge and his agent Karlheinz Forster instructed Leipzig's chiefs that his client was ready to move to west London at the end of the season.

Hakim Ziyech, the Blues' spending is now up to a combined £91m ($114m) but Goal has learned that Chilwell is being pursued with the same energy as their latest two signings.

Unlike the deals for Werner and Ziyech, Chilwell's deal is complicated due to the absence of a release clause. Therefore, the club need to negotiate a fee with Leicester in order to bring him to Stamford Bridge next season.

Manchester United's deal for Harry Maguire has set a precedent in this regard and Chilwell will likely cost over £80m ($100m). Leicester, however, haven't put a price tag on their key asset who they intend to keep.

The Premier League end-of-season standings could yet impact negotiating positions as Leicester are well-placed, along with Chelsea, to qualify for the Champions League.

Beyond Chilwell, Chelsea may re-ignite interest in their former academy star and Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake. Chelsea sold Ake to the Cherries for £20m ($25m) in 2017 but inserted a £40m ($50m) buyback clause which expires this summer.

The Blues may wait and see what happens with Chilwell – the club’s primary target – before moving for anyone else but Bournemouth being relegated may allow them to sign Ake on a slightly reduced fee despite the clause.

After reinforcements to the left-back position, Chelsea aren’t expected to conduct any other major signings. Manchester United are strong favourites to secure the signing of Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, who would welcome a summer move to Old Trafford. The 20-year-old will snub any offers to renew his contract at the German club.

Chelsea could continue to add players in swap deals or on loan depending on how their summer develops at a later stage. They also hold interest in lower priority targets like Brentford’s Said Benrahma and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze. They also have alternative left-back options in Porto’s Alex Telles and Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico. (Goal)

•PHOTO: Ben Chiwell

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 6, 2020

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