Chelsea are determined to get Levi Colwill tied down to a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge, football.london understands.
As per the Evening Standard, Liverpool and Manchester City are showing a keen interest in the 20-year-old ahead of the summer transfer window and are considering testing Chelsea's resolve. Colwill, who is currently on a season-long loan deal at Brighton, has impressed this season when called upon by firstly Graham Potter and now Roberto De Zerbi.
Despite extensive interest in Colwill, Chelsea are still hopeful they can reach an agreement over an extension with the defender, with his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2025. No official talks have started yet over an extension but they are set to begin in the summer when Colwill returns to the club following his loan spell at the Amex Stadium.
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The English defender has played a total of 15 games for the Seagulls this season in all competitions. It would have been more if it wasn't for a muscular injury that kept him out for about six weeks.
He has been asked many times about his future at Chelsea and was even spotted at Stamford Bridge earlier this year while he was sidelined through injury. However, Colwill has remained coy on what is next for him once his loan spell is up.
Colwill said last month: "I haven't thought about it, to be honest, every day I am working hard and that's all I am focusing on. If I start planning for the future, then everything might not go well here and everything then changes.
"This is my main priority right now to work hard with my teammates. I have loved every minute of being here. I have learned so much even when I wasn't playing, now I am getting minutes after coming back from injury, so I can't complain."
Colwill's Brighton take on Chelsea on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League with the Seagulls looking to narrow down the 10-point gap to the top-four. Colwill, though, will be ineligible to play against his parent club at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have big plans with Colwill and see him as a part of their long-term setup for years to come, football.london understands. This is despite the recent signings of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile.
There are set to be a host of departures from Stamford Bridge over the summer, though, with the club looking to balance the books after a mega-expensive last couple of transfer windows. We brought you the news on Wednesday that Liverpool are very interested in midfield duo Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher.
The Reds are confident they can lure Mount to Anfield, with the 24-year-old's entourage growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in contract negotiations with Chelsea. Meanwhile, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Gallagher and his situation, with the England international about to enter the final two years of his contract in west London.
Hakim Ziyech will be allowed to leave the club on a permanent deal in the summer. The Moroccan came close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in January on a loan deal but a problem with the paperwork prevented the move from going through.
Christian Pulisic, too, could have a number of offers as he enters the final 12 months of his Chelsea contract. The 24-year-old American has once again seen his minutes on the pitch restricted this season and the USMNT international could look for a new challenge.
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