Chelsea target Southampton defender Cedric Soares
Chelsea have identified Southampton full-back Cedric Soares as a potential target, with th club looking to add to their much depleted squad.
According to the Standard, Chelsea are preparing a bid for the Portuguese international, for around £20 million.
With potentially bringing in the 25-year-old, he will give cover to Victor Moses in the wide right defensive role, further strengthening the defense, after bringing in the versatile Antonio Rudiger from AS Roma, and having Andreas Christensen back, since his two-year loan ended at Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany.
Chelsea are struggling to bring in numbers this window, only bringing in four, compared to the numbers who have left the club, permanently or on loan, it’s still worrying when they are trying to defend their Premier League title, and now competing in Europe’s elite competition.
Antonio Conte, who may not be at Chelsea for long, but whilst he’s here, he wants to challenge, and he continues to call out the board, hinting he wants signings.
The Champions have also been linked with fellow Saints defensive pairing of former Blue, Ryan Bertrand and Dutch international Virgil Van Dijk, who recently handed in a transfer request, much to the dismay of Southampton’s hierarchy.
It’ll be an interesting last few weeks in the summer window, after Chelsea’s opening day defeat to Burnley, and coming up against London rivals Spurs later on this week.