Centre-back is one position where Chelsea are looking to strengthen this summer. They lost on the race to sign Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. It also appears that Liverpool have taken the lead when it comes to getting the signature of Marc Guehi. So, who will the Blues end up going after this? Well, it looks like another Bournemouth defender was on their radar.
There are times when a small budget Premier League side ends up exceeding all expectations. The following summer, big clubs swoop in and sign the majority of their key players. Bournemouth finds themselves in that situation right now.
They have already seen Huijsen leave for Real Madrid. Now, Illya Zabarnyi, another one of their centre-backs, might be headed for the exit door as well. And while Chelsea wanted to sign him, it looks like Champions League holders PSG are best-placed to get a deal done.
In fact, PSG have already managed to agree on personal terms with the player. It remains to be seen if they can find a breakthrough in negotiations with Bournemouth. As reported by TBR Football, Graeme Bailey said:
"He really is only focused on PSG.
“I am told that he has agreed personal terms in principle, but there is still some way to go in terms between Bournemouth and PSG."
Chelsea transfer target agrees personal terms to join PSG
It remains to be seen if PSG are able to agree a deal with Bournemouth to sign Zabarnyi. As for Chelsea, it might be time to move their attention elsewhere as the player seems to be intent on joining the European champions.
Options are quickly running out for Chelsea though as they keep on losing one transfer race after another. Mario Gila, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jorrel Hato are some of the other names to have been linked with the club in recent times. None of those names will feel the fans with confidence that the signing of a player like Guehi would.
It remains to be seen what direction Chelsea end up taking in their quest to sign a centre-back this summer. Let's just hope that they can bring in a top one.