Ornstein: Chelsea had “meetings or conversations” with top target’s camp, could sell £40m Chalobah to fund move | OneFootball

The focus at Chelsea in the last week has very much on potential striker purchases for the summer, with Liam Delap’s £30m relegation release clause attracting a lot of attention suddenly.

But we’ve always know that that position isn’t the only one the Blues are likely to strengthen, and that’s been confirmed today in transfer guru David Ornstein’s regular Q and A for the Athletic.

There he covered in detail the chase for Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who is attracting attention from top Premier League sides and all across Europe.

According to Ornstein, Chelsea are not only interested, they’re one of the favourites to sign Huijsen, and have made some of the most serious advances of the teams chasing him.

“Liverpool… Chelsea have enquired and Arsenal are in the mix, too,” insider wrote.

“At the moment, those are perhaps the three leading contenders but not the only ones, with Newcastle and Tottenham also keen. I believe they have all held meetings or conversations with Huijsen’s camp in the last week but I’m not aware of offers being made just yet, so the direction of travel remains unclear.”

The fact that a top source like Ornstein is now reporting that there have been meetings already is very promising.

Chelsea could pay for chunk of Huijsen with Chalobah sale

Trevoh Chalobah leaves the pitch injured against Aston Villa. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Later in the piece, there was even more Chelsea specific news, with Ornstein noting that Huijsen could be tempted by a move to Chelsea as he would have a “good chance of starting beside Levi Colwill.”

Space would need to be cleared in the squad for another defender, and on that note Ornstein mentions Trevoh Chaobah as “definitely one to watch.” We heard in January we’d ask £40m for him, and even if we get less than that, it’s a solid chunk of Huijsen paid off.