Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Brighton & Hove Albion defender Adam Webster as an alternative to Wesley Fofana, with Newcastle United interested in signing the centre-back in the January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mail, the Blues have devised a list of centre-backs in case a deal to sign Fofana falls through, with Brighton star Webster now being watched by Chelsea as the transfer window heads into the final ten days of business.
The west London side have been intent on signing Fofana for the past few weeks, however, with Leicester sticking to their £80m price tag for the France youth international, Chelsea could move to other targets to ensure a centre-back is signed, with Webster now being eyed by Thomas Tuchel.
A regular for Brighton, the former Bristol City star was reportedly eyed by Newcastle in January as Eddie Howe looked to improve the Toon’s defence with quality options from the Premier League, though the Magpies instead landed on Webster’s Seagulls teammate Dan Burn.
And now, six months later, Chelsea could sign Webster if they’re unable to land Fofana, a prospect that is increasingly growing as the days and hours of the transfer window little away, with the Brighton defender a solid option for the English giants.
Indeed, whilst Webster is older than Fofana, who was branded as ‘exceptional’ by former Tottenham defender Michael Dawson, the Brighton star is a quality centre-back who will be valued at Chelsea should the Blues sign the ball-playing defender, much to the dismay of Newcastle.
Webster could be an incredible signing for Chelsea this summer
Newcastle might have opted out of Webster in January, but Chelsea could make a real smart move this summer by trying to land the former Championship star should Leicester get the better of Todd Boehly in their talks over Fofana.
After all, Chelsea need a quality Premier League-proven defender to bolster their ranks at centre-back, and whilst Webster isn’t the flashy name Blues’ supporters have grown accustomed to over the years, the Brighton star is perfect for what Tuchel needs in a new defender this summer.
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