Chelsea are ready to go head-to-head with Spanish giants Barcelona to secure the signature of highly-rated Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez, as per reports from the Metro.
The Premier League champion had set their sight on Paris Saint-Germain man Marquinhos but backed out with Manchester United leading the race to sign him and have shifted their attention to Ajax centre-back.
The Blues boss Antonio Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation which proved to be the key in winning the league and has relied on the formidable partnership of Gary Cahill, David Liuz and Cesar Azpilicueta in the heart of defence.
But with the return of Champions League football to Stamford Bridge next season, the Italian manager is making moves to revamp his team. And the departure of former captain John Terry at the end of the
season has pushed Conte into the transfer market to look for a long-term successor for the former England international and has identified Sanchez as the man to fill the void.
The 20-year-old Colombian has been outstanding for Ajax this season helping them to the Eredivisie runner-up and the Europa League final where they face Jose Mourinho’s United on May 24.
However, Chelsea will have to fend off competition from Barcelona who have also shown interest in the services of the defender, but the London club stand a better chance of landing him after pocketing £150 million for winning the Premier League title.
Sanchez moved to the Dutch club last summer in a deal worth £4 million and he is contracted to them until 2021. He has made 45 appearances this season.