Chelsea have “most advanced” interest in €50m defender – with one major problem | OneFootball

Chelsea are likely in the market for a new defender this summer.

That may seem strange, given how much money has been spent by the Blues on players at the back in the last few years, but as we outlined in our piece from a couple of days ago, they’re still lacking any certainty about who the long term partner to Levi Colwill will be.

The name that comes up most often is Dean Huijsen, the Bournemouth defender who is in hot demand after a ridiculous season for the Cherries, and even more so after a £55m release clause was revealed.

But there’s another name that has come up a few times, and continues to stick around despite not fitting with our usual profile.

CaughtOffside today report that David Hancko, the Feyenood central defender who is ready to move to a top club, is very much on our radar, as well as attracting interest from Tottenham, Juventus and Atletico Madrid.

The Blues’ interest is said to be the “most advanced” of any of these teams.

One major issues remains with Chelsea interest in Hancko

David Hancko celebrates a Feyenood goal. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

In many ways things are falling into place for a deal – Feyenoord are open to it and are ready to cash in on their €50m asset. And Hancko himself is keen to leave and test himself in the Premier League ideally at a Champions League contender.

But the sticking point is of course his age. He’s 27, and while the Blue shave been willing to bend their rules over only signing young players, we can’t see them doing it for a player who is at the peak of his transfer value as well as his career.

We can’t rule it out – maybe this is the moment to add more experience?