Chelsea have reportedly arranged a meeting with Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao as they look to tempt the 24-year-old to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Thomas Tuchel is facing a bit of a defensive crisis at Chelsea ahead of the 2022-23 season.
While his back line has often been the shining light in his side in his 13 months at the club, as many as three first-team options could be on their way out when their contracts expire this summer.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and, most crucially, Antonio Rudiger are all set to become free agents at the end of the season and plans are being put in place for every eventuality.
With work set to be done at the back, Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde reportedly remains the top transfer target of the club's and director of football Marina Granovskaia's summer task is clear.
The biggest fear at Stamford Bridge, however, will be the departure of Rudiger.
No player has appeared more for Chelsea under Tuchel, with the German centre-back among the Premier League's best defenders over the past 12 months.
But his future remains unresolved and he insists that whether he stays or goes will come down to the Blues.
“I feel great here, I have always said it," Rudiger told The Athletic after the Club World Cup final.
"I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here. But there are also other people who have to make decisions.”
While Rudiger could still remain a Chelsea player next term, plans appear to be being put in place for every eventuality.
A report from Marca, via TeamTalk, indicates that the club had set up a meeting with Real Madrid defender Militao as they look to tempt the Brazilian to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Rated at £54million by Transfermarkt, Chelsea would likely have to pay well above that price to land the player contracted to the Bernabeu until 2025.
