Chelsea are reportedly watching several ‘skilled’ left-backs before the summer window, which has become a top priority for the club.
The Blues are preparing for another significant reconstruction at the end of the season and it is expected that there could be up to 15 departures from Stamford Bridge.
AFC Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez is one of the left-backs Chelsea is examining – although they will need to compete with Manchester United for his signature.
The West Londoners appear likely to recruit a new left-back given reports that Ian Maatsen, currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund, could depart from the club.
Chelsea are also looking to sell another left-back – Marc Cucurella – to a team from the Saudi Pro League after co-owner Todd Boehly visited Riyadh for discussions.
Chelsea also have a third left-back in Ben Chilwell but his season has been largely disrupted by injuries, with the Englishman making only 12 top-flight appearances this season.
Like Chelsea, United are also in the market for a new left-back at the end of the season and it may not only be Kerkez that the two clubs end up fighting over.
Kerkez only joined Bournemouth in the summer but the Hungary international has made a strong impression in his first Premier League season on the south coast.
The 20-year-old has played 26 games for Andoni Iraola’s team so far, and Bournemouth would anticipate earning a substantial profit on their young talented player.
Bournemouth paid about £15.5m to bring Kerkez from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and he signed a long-term contract in July 2023.
