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According to recent reports via Football London, Chelsea are ready to join the race for Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres.
However, 90Min have claimed that the Blues are looking to bolster their defensive options following their decision to allow Kurt Zouma to join West Ham United in August.
Torres, who is valued at £45million on football database Transfermarkt, has less than three years remaining on his contract at the Estadio de la Ceramica. He also reportedly has a release clause set at around €60million (£51.6million).
The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time now, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United all being credited with an interest in the Spain international in the past.
Villarreal managerUnai Emery, who has been coaching Torres since the start of last season, is a huge fan of the Spaniard and has previously explained why Chelsea should consider making a move for his services.
Speaking exclusively in January of this year, Emery said: “Pau Torres is an amazing player – I think he’s top.
“I’ve been a coach in Sevilla, PSG, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre back like Pau Torres.
“I think he’s going to play at the highest level, he’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in Europe very soon.”
Chelsea’s centre-back situation is a difficult one at the moment, with Thomas Tuchel having a wealth of central defenders to choose from, but there is plenty of uncertainty over the futures of some.
Antonio Rudiger is in the final 12 months of his deal at Stamford Bridge and is free to talk to foreign clubs in January over signing a pre-contract.
Talks about a new extension with Rudiger are well underway but an agreement is not thought to be close just yet despite his brilliant form recently.
Andreas Christensen, like Rudiger, is also out of contract in the summer, and with Thiago Silva being 37-years-old, a decision over his future is yet to be made.