Chelsea have been handed a major boost in their attempts to sign Porto left-back Alex Telles. ESPN Brazil report that the 27-year-old will be offloaded in the summer with the player’s contract expiring at the end of next season.

They claim that the Blues have tried to sign the fullback “several times” and that the defender has a “great ambition” to play in the Premier League which could now be realised “soon”.

Whether there is any substance to this report, it remains to be seen. Manager Frank Lampard is believed to be keen on signing a new left-back, with neither Emerson nor Marcos Alonso having impressed him. They are said to be two of the eight players who could be sold in the summer.

Leicester’s Ben Chilwell is reportedly Lampard’s preferred target, but a move for the England international could prove prohibitive in terms of price. With Telles having turned down a new contract with Porto, and with his current deal running down, he could be available for a lower amount.