Chelsea on alert for signing of Liverpool supporting star available for €30m less than he was in the summer

Chelsea have become contenders for the signature of RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, according to reports in Germany.

The issue of regenerating in midfield has been creeping up on Chelsea in recent months. They are aware that Jorginho and N’Golo Kante will be out of contract at the end of the season. Besides, both players have already passed the age of 30.

Hence, whereas this summer the focus was on evolving their defence – and off-the-field structure – next year Chelsea will make it their mission to replenish their midfield.

Either Kante or Jorginho could yet stay on new terms. However, Chelsea will still be looking for players who can compete with them and gradually replace them in the starting lineup.

According to Sport Bild, one potential target they have taken note of is Konrad Laimer. Like Chelsea’s current pair in question, his contract with his present employers is due to expire at the end of the season.

Just 25 years old and with 167 RB Leipzig appearances under his belt, Laimer is a prospect that many clubs would like to sign.

He has admitted he is a Liverpool fan, and the Reds just so happen to have been linked with him. The most likely candidates to take him on a free transfer in 2023, though, are Bayern Munich.

However, there are still threats to the Bundesliga champions in the battle for his services. According to Sport Bild, Chelsea are now in contention for Laimer’s signature.

The Blues are already working on the signings of RB Leipzig pair Christopher Nkunku and Josko Gvardiol. While looking into them, they have noticed Laimer’s situation as one they could take advantage of too.

New challenge might appeal to Konrad Laimer – and benefit Chelsea

Promisingly, Laimer would be interested in testing himself in the Premier League, according to the report. A new challenge would appeal to him; he has already ruled out the idea of extending his stay with RB Leipzig, but could yet turn his back on the Bundesliga altogether.

In that case, Chelsea would be keen on adding him to their squad. They may also make the most of the services of Christopher Vivell, who should be their new technical director. He recently left RB Leipzig himself.

Soon, he could be involved in helping Chelsea take Laimer. The fact he is out of contract next year means they won’t need to worry about further negotiations with RB Leipzig.

His current club wanted €30million for him in the summer, which would have been around £26million. Hence, getting him for free next year will certainly be appealing.

As things stand, it may still be a case of competing with Bayern Munich, who have already snapped up Dayot Upamecano and Marcel Sabitzer from RB Leipzig in recent years, as well as head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

But Chelsea are making themselves known in the battle to sign Laimer. It will be interesting to see whether or not they can convince him.

READ MORE: Chelsea in approach for ‘unstoppable’ €25m midfielder who has been drafted into five-part plan