Chelsea will reportedly need to make Ben Chilwell the world’s most expensive defender if they are to sign him from Leicester City.
Frank Lampard is very keen to add England left-back Chilwell to his squad for next season.
The 23-year-old has been at Leicester since the age of 12 and is under contract until 2024.
And The Mirror claim the Foxes are demanding a huge fee if they are to let go of their man.
Chilwell is believed to want to join the Blues as the Englishman sees his long term future at Stamford Bridge.
The Mirror says Leicester have told Chelsea they value Chilwell, 23, even more highly than Harry Maguire.
England stopper Maguire, 27, became the world’s most expensive defender last summer when he joined Manchester United for £80million from the Foxes.
Now Chelsea face having to top that fee to land Chilwell, who has 11 caps.
Leicester have sold a main asset each summer since winning the title following the exits of Maguire, Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater and N’Golo Kante.
Now Chilwell, who has been at Leicester since aged 12, is likely to be their next big sale.
The star is keen to quit for Chelsea where he sees his long-term future.
Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater dropped a massive hint on Monday as he posted a photo of himself and Chilwell in Mykonos.
‘Summer scouting mission,’ he wrote alongside the snap, which he also tagged Chelsea’s official account.
Danny Drinkwater dropped a transfer hint regarding Ben Chilwell and current club Chelsea
Leicester’s hopes of keeping Chilwell this summer were hit by their failure to qualify for the Champions League.
The 2-0 final day defeat at home to Manchester United on Sunday concluded a disappointing final few weeks of the season for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Though Leicester seemingly have a fight on their hands to keep their star left-back, manager Rodgers has been insistent that he is not for sale.
‘He’s not a player we want to lose. I’m quite relaxed on it. I’m not worried at all,’ Rodgers said.
‘We’ve got a fantastic squad that we want to keep together so I don’t worry.
‘You can spin it whichever way you want. There is no intention to sell Ben Chilwell and there is absolutely no need for us to sell Ben Chilwell. If you want a message, the message is he’s not for sale.’
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