Chelsea have been linked to a host of new full-back's this summer.
Most prominently, Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries is being targeted as back-up to Reece James and The Athletic has reported that negotiations are ongoing for the Dutch international. Not only do the Blues want to sign cover on the right-hand-side but various options have popped up on the left, most notably Joakim Maehle and Benjamin Pavard.
A certain left-back move would come as a huge shock, especially considering just how far Man City are going to try and sign this certain defender. The Daily Mail have reported that the Blues are interested in Brighton defender Marc Cucurella.
READ MORE: Chelsea eye £13m Joakim Maehle transfer amid Denzel Dumfries and Benjamin Pavard links
However, the Seagulls are demanding in excess of £50million. A price which Pep Guardiola has hinted could cause the Citizens to walk away in this situation. Could Chelsea step in and how would they propose to meet this asking price?
As it has been all summer with Todd Boehly's transfer strategy which is being replicated with Wesley Fofana too, 'swap deals' could be the order of the day again. A member of Gianluca Di Marzio's staff Nathan Gissing has tweeted: "Chelsea are interested in signing Brighton’s Marc Cucurella after talks stalled with Man City. Chelsea have discussed internally the idea of a swap-deal."
But what would make this a real possibility? Simply, Marcos Alonso leaving would need to happen before any move for the 24-year-old comes to proper fruition. And as Barca president Joan Laporta has hinted at already, a move could be forthcoming for both Alonso and his Spanish compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta.
“They are under contract at Chelsea and we respect this as well as the new owner. I don’t want to talk about players who belong to other teams," Laporta told CBS.
“I respect Cesar and Marcos as footballers. They are very, very good players. They show their quality and talent at Chelsea. But I don’t want to talk about them as a matter of respect for Chelsea.”
Chelsea fans - Marc Cucurella or Joakim Maehle? Choose one and explain your decision in the comments section below!
READ NEXT:
Thomas Tuchel 'in love' with Chelsea transfer target amid £100m valuation
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from Stamford Bridge
Full Chelsea Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Denzel Dumfries transfer plan made as Chelsea eye next two summer signings with £51m swoop
Gary Neville sends Man United Frenkie de Jong transfer warning as Chelsea plan double 'hijack'
