Chelsea are reportedly interested in Bournemouth defender Ilya Zabarnyi and could make a move for him in the January transfer window.
The Blues are keen to add a defender as their defence has been the biggest weakness since Enzo Maresca came in at Stamford Bridge in the summer.
They have kept just two clean sheets in the Premier League this season out of 11 matches and the Chelsea boss may have identified one of his solutions.
Bournemouth centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi has been excellent for the Cherries so far this season. He signed for the South Coast club for £19m in January 2023 from Dynamo Kiev and has since made 58 appearances for the Cherries.
According to Football Transfers, the Blues have shortlisted the 22-year-old and are keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge. Their report suggests that his transfer value could be anywhere between £31m and £52m with a realistic estimate at around £42m for the Ukrainian.
After a successful six month period at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth signed Zabarnyi to a new five-year contract which has tied him down to the club until June 2029. Chelsea play against Bournemouth in 10 games time which will be right in the middle of the transfer window, it could be the ideal time to have a good look at the Ukrainian.
However, if a big-spender like Chelsea were to come in with a high enough offer, it should be enough to tempt their Premier League rivals to sell the defender and Enzo Maresca could get his man.
Chelsea looking at several centre-back options
The Blues have also shortlisted Benfica defender Tomas Araujo who they had been monitoring during the summer transfer window.
However, Benfica said that they would stick to his £83m release clause, so Chelsea decided not to pursue a move for the 22-year-old.
Recent reports have suggested that they could re-ignite their interest in Araujo as they look to bolster in defence.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano said: “Chelsea are actively monitoring the centre-back market. Let’s see if it will be January or summer. They considered Tomas Araujo in the last days of the summer just gone but Benfica were not selling. Chelsea are interested in several players!”
