Chelsea are weighing up a move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah, according to Bild reporter Christian Falk.

The journalist claims that the Blues are “interested” in the 27-year-old, who could potentially be signed as the “successor” to Thiago Silva:

TRUE✅ Chelsea is interested in centre-Back Jonathan Tah (27) of Bayer Leverkusen. Tah has a release clause in his contract (til 2025). he could be the successor of Thiago Silva (39). New Agent of Tah: Pini Zahavi @ChelseaFC @bayer04_en

— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) December 6, 2023

As Falk also mentions, Tah does have a release clause in his contract that would make the transfer an even more attractive proposition.

Previous reports have suggested that the buyout fee could be as little as €18m (£15.4m), which would make him a low-risk purchase if Mauricio Pochettino’s side do go ahead with a bid either in January or at the end of the season.

Tah has been a key player in Leverkusen’s outstanding start to the campaign

The 27-year-old has started all but one of Leverkusen’s first 13 league fixtures. The German club currently sit top of the Bundesliga, having not lost a game so far.

Xabi Alonso’s side also have the second-best defensive record, having conceded only 11 goals, with Tah playing a pivotal role for his team.

Why are Chelsea pursuing another centre-half?

There is an argument to say that, even if Silva leaves Stamford Bridge when his contract expires in June, the Blues already have sufficient numbers in the centre of defence to accommodate his departure. Pochettino has Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah in his squad.

However, there isn’t a lot of experience among those five defenders. Disasi is the oldest at 25 years of age, and he has not always played at centre-back.

It does, therefore, make sense that Chelsea would pursue someone like Tah who could fill the void left by Silva but without costing the earth. Other Premier League teams, including Manchester United, Newcastle and West Ham are also said to be keen on the German so the Blues will have a fight on their hands if they want to secure his services.