Antonio Conte has chopped and changed his centre-backs this season as he looks to find a settled back three but the Italian has always remained keen on adding another player into the mix in defence.
Gary Cahill’s form has dipped this season which has seen him lose his regular starting role, while David Luiz’s situation at the club is much-documented and the Brazilian is unlikely to remain at the club beyond the summer.
The Guardian noted yesterday that the Blues would be interested in signing Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld from Tottenham should the North London club be prepared to sell him, but they would face competition from Manchester City in that eventuality.
Alderweireld’s contract expires in 2019 but Spurs do have a one-year option which should it be taken up would activate a £25m release clause which comes into effect in the summer of 2019.
With that in mind, Spurs could opt to cash in on Alderweireld for a larger fee this summer given the considerable interest in him with Manchester United now also keen.
Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertoghen have struck up an excellent partnership in the middle of a back four for Tottenham in Alderweireld’s absence and Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United will all be monitoring his situation closely over the next few months.
