According to various reports, Chelsea are nearing the completion of a deal for Leicester City left-back Ben Chilwell.
The 23-year old has long been a target for Frank Lampard, and it seems that the Blues are in the closing stages of securing his signature.
The fee is rumoured to be in the region of £50 million, hovering around the record sums spent on a fullback by Manchester City on Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy.
The Athletic UK reporter David Ornstein has reported that the Englishman has undergone medical checks on a heel injury that kept him out for the tail end of the Premier League season, and Chelsea seem to be satisfied with the results.
Chilwell would be the third high-profile signing for Chelsea, following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner. Lampard could continue to add to his options as Chelsea continue to negotiate a deal for Bayer Leverkusen attacker Kai Havertz.
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Chilwell has long been an intriguing prospect, having been a long-time Liverpool target in his teens. However, he really came into his own this season, emerging as one of the league’s best left-backs.
The Leicester academy product should offer the Blues an attacking outlet paired with defensive discipline that the side have lacked. Emerson has been selected sparingly by Lampard, while Marcos Alonso’s defensive frailties have seemingly overshadowed his attacking prowess.
Although Brendan Rodgers will struggle to replace Chilwell, they will be delighted to make a ₤50 million profit on a player from their youth academy. The club has clearly demonstrated their negotiating proficiency, after forcing Manchester United to fork over ₤80 million for Harry Maguire last summer.
Ultimately, this could be one of the transfers that helps Chelsea compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City for the Premier League title. Alongside the additions of Ziyech, Werner, and perhaps Havertz, Lampard will have an embarrassment of riches to select from as he chooses his best eleven.
