According to reports from England Frank Lampard is prioritizing the signing of a centre-half this transfer window. Chelsea have already strengthened upfront and on the wings with the signing of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech from RB Leipzig and Ajax respectively.
According to reports from Football Insider, Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid is Lampards top target. Although he has a hefty release clause of £110 million, Chelsea are hoping to get him for significantly less.
The Uruguayan international is highly rated, though he has struggled with fitness issues in recent seasons. Chelsea have rotated among Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fisayo Tomori, but they have failed to impress when given opportunity. And Gimenez is expected to slot seamlessly into the heart of defence.
Chelsea are also monitoring West Ham’s Declan Rice. But the West London club would love to keep him till at least another season. David Moyes has told whoever cares to listen that it will only take a record-breaking fee before they can contemplate on selling their star defender.
Gimenez has a hefty release clause but the club is hoping they can negotiate a lower fee with Atletico.
Aside from the defence, Chelsea are also in the market for a first-choice goalkeeper. Lampard has lost faith in current number one Kepa Arrizabalaga. The former Athletic Bilbao shot stopper endured a poor season by all standards. He was dropped at one stage of the season for veteran Willy Caballero. He was reinstated after the retreat of the league in June, but he did not impress his manager.
Barcelona shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and on loan Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson have been linked with the Stamford Bridge outfit