Chelsea have asked about Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar but the clubs are understood to be some distance apart on valuation for the 27-year-old.
Antonio Conte’s Tottenham are also interested in the Slovakia international, and both clubs are likely to have substantial transfer funds available in the upcoming window.
Skriniar has hardly missed a game since signing for Inter in 2017, appearing 215 times.
He was a key part of the team that won Serie A in 2021, under Conte’s management.
Inter could find themselves light on quality defenders with Alessandro Bastoni also being linked with a Premier League move.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel has been told he will be backed this summer and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde remains a priority.
The Blues are set to make a big of around £55m, according to reports from Estadio Deportivo.
The 23-year-old has established himself as a regular at Sevilla and made his international debut for France last year.
Midfielder Saul Niguez has returned to Atletico Madrid following his loan.