Chelsea have offered Levi Colwill a new contract but the defender wants talks with Mauricio Pochettino before deciding his future.
The 20-year-old has a long-term deal on the table but wants clarity over his squad role and will first speak to Pochettino, who begins work as manager on July 3.
Chelsea are well-stocked at the back and Colwill does not want to serve as a back-up.
Pochettino is a known admirer of Colwill and holds the key to unlocking the contract impasse.
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The new manager faces a delicate balancing act with Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah all wanting regular first-team action.
Badiashile, in particular, could block Colwill’s pathway as a similar profile of defender.
Brighton made a club-record £40m bid for Colwill earlier this month, having impressed during a loan spell last season.
Chelsea rejected the bid but the two clubs will in the coming days meet to discuss a deal for the Blues’ primary midfield target Moises Caicedo. Any attempt to include Colwill in a swap deal will be rejected.
Multiple Premier League clubs could enter the market for Colwill, including Manchester City and Liverpool, but Chelsea insist he is not for sale at any price.
Colwill will know he has a chance of making England’s Euro 2024 squad heading to Germany next summer if he has a good season, having already grabbed the attention of Gareth Southgate.
The young defender was promoted from the Under-21s to train with the senior group during the June internationals.
Colwill didn’t play but is highly regarded by Southgate and currently excelling with Lee Carsley’s Under-21s side at the European Championship in Georgia. The Young Lions next face Portugal on Sunday.
