Chelsea are reportedly in negotiations with Monaco over the possible signing of Bernardo Silva this summer, although it won’t be cheap for the Blues.
Antonio Conte is on course to lead the club to a Premier League title in his first season in charge, as they boast an eight-point lead over the nearest rivals with 13 games to go.
While they are far from certain to end the year as champions just yet, they will feel very confident about their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
With that though comes the added pressure to bolster the squad to add quality and depth to ensure that they have a group capable of competing on various fronts.
According to The Times, part of that drive to ensure they become a force in Europe again will see Chelsea make a move for 22-year-old attacking midfielder Silva.
It’s claimed that Monaco will sell the Portuguese international this summer and he’s being targeted by Chelsea, although their demands may well prove to be a sticking point.
The report adds that the Ligue 1 outfit are looking to secure a minimum of €80m for their star man, with Barcelona, Real Madrid and both Manchester clubs also expressing an interest.
In turn, with Monaco taking on Manchester City in the Champions League next week, there may well be a few keen eyes trained in on monitoring how he performs.
Silva’s versatility is also a huge bonus as he is more than comfortable operating on either flank or through the middle as a number 10, and he’s been pivotal thus far in helping Monaco stay on track to win the league this season while also making an impression in Europe.
They currently top the standings with a three-point buffer having scored a staggering 76 goals in 26 games, with Silva contributing nine goals and seven assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.