Chelsea are mulling over a summer move for in-form Brighton star Adam Webster as they prepare themselves for a defensive shake-up.
Central defenders Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen still haven't agreed new deals, and nor has right-back and captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
The Blues are weighing up a number of options to cover any or all departures.
And Webster is among those under consideration after impressing at the Amex Stadium following his move from Bristol City in 2019.
The 27-year-old has been tipped for a call-up to Gareth Southgate 's England squad, such has been his form.
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And newly-rich Newcastle, who signed Dan Burn from the Seagulls last month, have also shown an interest in him.
But the Blues are now keen as well and the chance to join a Champions League club will of course appeal.
Chelsea were recently linked to Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao as a replacement for one of their on-the-way-out defenders, as Thomas Tuchel looks to ensure his defensive options are sufficient next season.
Having won the Champions League last term, their bid to lift the Premier League title looked to be over before the New Year.
Meanwhile, Brighton are still soaring under Graham Potter, looking to better their club-record 13th-place finish in the English top flight obtained in 1982.
If they do so, Webster will have played a pivotal part thanks to his superb ability to progress the ball up the pitch that wouldn't look out of place in Tuchel's team.
"That is what Adam brings for us, that is his quality, both sides," Potter recently said about the Blues target. "He has been fantastic and helps us to build our attacks. He was an important signing for us and an important player."
On the potential of an England call-up, the Seagulls boss added: "He has to be playing in the Premier League regularly to be mentioned in those terms.
"But in terms of his attributes, I don't see anybody else with the same level as Adam Webster has. If you want to build from the back and carry the ball and progress the game, he is fantastic and that is his quality.
"It is now a case of him enjoying his football with us, keep being on the pitch and being injury free and then anything is possible with him."
And Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is a fan of Webster, tweeting after Brighton's 1-1 draw with Chelsea, in which the former Bristol City star scored: "Adam Webster's passing out from the back, with both feet is better than any other English central defender."
