Hector set for shock £4m Chelsea move

Simon Wilkes

Michael Hector: Set to join Chelsea from Reading

Chelsea are reportedly close to springing a deadline day transfer shock by signing Reading centre-back Michael Hector for £4million.

Hector, 23, who represented Jamaica at the Copa America this summer, only signed a new three-year contract with Reading in July and has already featured five times for the club this season.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is keen to bolster his side’s defensive options and has been pursuing Everton centre-back John Stones, but with that prospective deal unlikely to happen Mourinho has signed Nantes defender Papy Djilobodji and Hector looks set to follow.

Hector established himself as one of the finest defenders in the Championship last season following 11 spells out on loan, including time with non-league clubs Bracknell Town, Havant & Waterlooville and Horsham.