The Blues are already planning ahead for next season and are moving early in the transfer market this time around. They have been credited with a strong interest in young German striker Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen, with many expecting the deal to be concluded and announced in the next few weeks.

According to Metro, they have now moved on to their second target from the German league in the form of Kyriakos Papadopoulos. The 21-year old has been impressive over the course of the season and has been attracting interest from a handful of top European clubs like Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

The Greek international is one of the most versatile defenders out there, as along with being a traditional center-back, he can easily slip into the full-back role with relative ease, as well as being equally adept at being deployed as a defensive holding midfielder. It is this versatility which has earned him links with Chelsea, who are now thought to be keen on luring him to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Chelsea are one of the most active clubs in the market right now, regardless of the uncertainty in the camp about the team’s management for the next season. Current boss Rafael Benitez is set to quit the club as per his interim deal and despite strong reports suggesting a Jose Mourinho comeback, there are no concrete developments yet. It is thought that the club’s technical director Michael Emenalo is the man who is making things happen at the moment, and is the reason behind Chelsea’s talks for Schurrle and now for Papadopoulos.

It might be too early to conclude Chelsea’s motive behind their interest for Papadopoulos, but the fact that these links come immediately at the back of Barcelona’s strong interest in Chelsea’s Brazilian defender David Luiz, who has hit peak form off late and is attracting the Catalans attention, might mean that Chelsea are taking proactive measures.

Does the Papadopoulos interest have any relation with Luiz’s possible summer departure? Are Chelsea planning a replacement?