Chelsea have been warned that they face competition to sign Monaco centreback Benoit Badiashile in January. football.london understands that a deal worth around £35m is being worked on between the two clubs and personal terms have already been finalised.
The 21-year-old is just one part of what is expected to be a major investment for Todd Boehly in the winter window with midfield reinforcements and additional attackers also on the priority list. Graham Potter is preparing his squad to face Nottingham Forest on New Year's Day but will be without three first team defenders for the trip.
Another injury to Reece James sees him out of the trip to the City Ground whilst Wesley Fofana is also in the treatment room with his own recurring knee injury. Ben Chilwell is a longer-term absentee and leaves Potter short of options to start the year.
READ MORE: Chelsea get major Barcelona transfer update amid Benoit Badiashile 'hijack' and Jorginho hint
Although Badiashile himself isn't a direct replacement for any of these players he is a highly thought of young defender that can bolster options and provide competition for the current crop as well as providing a rotational choice. Thiago Silva has played more minutes than any Chelsea player despite being the oldest player in the squad.
Chelsea aren't home and clear with the deal though and Philippe Clement has told the Blues that they aren't alone in their bid to sign the player. "I don't think there is only one club that has approached Benoit Badiashile," he explained.
"It's not just Chelsea. There has been a lot of interest in several of our players over the past six months. This is also the case with Benoit."
It was reported in France that Barcelona were keen to convince the player to delay his decision until the summer and subsequently stop Chelsea from having a free run in January. Meanwhile, Manchester United are also said to hold interest in the player but failed to convince him of their project.
Potter remained coy on the subject himself when pressed about it. "My answer is I don’t speak about anyone that isn’t a Chelsea player," he replied when asked about transfers. "There are lots of people who get linked to this club and I’d be wasting your time and mine if I responded to every one.
"I always say the club’s responsibility is to try to improve the team but my job is to try to improve the players we have here and the team. That’s what I’ll be focused on."
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