Chelsea alerted as chance to snap up defender for €10m cheaper arises

Chelsea have been informed that they will have to pay €30m to sign Alex Telles from Porto this summer, according to reports.

The Blues continue to be linked with a number of left-backs amid the ongoing uncertainty around the futures of the current incumbents of that position, Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso.

Emerson has been linked with a return to Serie A, where he could reunite with Maurizio Sarri at Juventus – although the Italy international insists he is still happy working under Frank Lampard at Stamford Bridge.

Alonso has also been suggested as someone who could be on his way back to Italy, where he used to play for Fiorentina, as he is considered a target for another former Blues boss, Antonio Conte at Inter Milan.

One of the names who could replace either Emerson or Alonso is Alex Telles, who at 27 years old is in the prime of his career and could be ready for the next step after four seasons at Porto.

Telles recently changed agents, teaming up with Pini Zahavi, who has close links with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and could therefore help facilitate a transfer.

It had been thought that Chelsea would have to stump up Telles’ €40m release clause in order to prise him away from Porto, but Le10 Sport now suggest that the Brazilian is available for just €30m.

Chelsea face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for Telles – who has one cap for Brazil at senior level, having made his international debut in 2019 – but both clubs have now been contacted by Porto to be informed of the price they will have to pay for him.

Telles would be a cheaper alternative to another of Chelsea’s main targets for the position, Ben Chilwell. The England international is reportedly keen on leaving Leicester for Stamford Bridge, but the Foxes are holding out for a high transfer sum that could even be a world record for a full-back.