Breaking: Chelsea on the brink of signing extremely talented centre-back
Aug 31, 2016 at 10:48 AM
According to reports in Portuguese news outlet Record, Benfica centre-back Victor Lindelof is back on Chelsea’s radar as the English giants increase their attempt to sign a defender before the transfer deadline.
The Sweden international, who can become a last minute signing for the Blues, has £25 million release clause and Chelsea have reportedly met the clause this summer. Chelsea’s failure to land a defender has reportedly compelled their manager Antonio Conte to reignite interest in Lindelof. He impressed in his breakthrough campaign at Benfica last season.
Manchester United are understood to have made an approach for him last season but had it rebuffed by his club.
Chelsea’s defence was one of the main reasons for their poor performance in last season as they conceded 53 goals, 17 more than champions Leicester. And ever since taking charge of the Blues, Conte has been desperately trying to land a defender at the Stamford Bridge but so far nothing concrete has materialised. He was linked with a host of big names but failed to sign a single player. He has also been left frustrated in his pursuit of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and AC Milan’s Alessia Romagnoli.
Meanwhile, the tabloid has also claimed that the defender is also being tracked by Italian giants Inter Milan.
Chelsea are currently linked with Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso and reports are claiming that the defender is all set to sign for the Blues. But despite that, Chelsea have continued their search for a centre-back.
Lindelof is not the only player said to be on Conte’s radar. Reports on Tuesday night suggested that the English outfit is also planning a shock raid to re-sign David Luiz from French champions Paris St-Germain.