Tino Livramento is reluctant to leave Southampton amid interest from Chelsea and Newcastle.
The 20-year-old defender has seen several Newcastle bids, rising up to £21million, rejected amid rival interest from his former club.
The former Chelsea academy graduate wants assurances over first-team minutes ahead of any move as he continues his return from a long-term knee injury.
Newcastle remain keen on Livramento but would have to convince him to accept a role battling against the experienced Kieran Trippier.
Chelsea, meanwhile, could re-sign Livramento before sending him immediately back on loan to St Mary’s Stadium.
Livramento would get to continue his recovery for a season in the Championship before returning to Stamford Bridge full-time next summer, though would face serious competition from both Reece James and Malo Gusto, who are tied down to long-term deals.
The Blues lost their Academy Player of the Year for just £5m in 2021 due to his desire to escape the loan system, so another first-team battle is unlikely to appeal.
Chelsea have an active buyback clause for Livramento understood to be worth around £38m, which is currently substantially more than his market value.
