Chelsea are reportedly giving consideration to making an approach for Southampton defender Kyle Walker-Peters.
With the Blues due to commence their Premier League campaign against Everton on Saturday evening, head coach Thomas Tuchel is becoming increasingly eager to strengthen his first-team squad.
If reports are to be believed, Chelsea are prioritising moves for Leicester City centre-back Wesley Fofana and Birghton & Hove Albion wing-back Marc Cucurella.
However, with Cesar Azpilicueta known to be a target for Barcelona, Tuchel could still have issues in the right wing-back position.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the West Londoners could attempt to resolve the situation by moving for Walker-Peters.
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After a number of frustrating years at Tottenham Hotspur, the 25-year-old has excelled at St Mary's since initially moving to Southampton on loan in January 2020.
In total, Walker-Peters has gone on to make 82 appearances in all competitions, establishing himself as first choice on that side of the backline.
With three years still remaining on the player's contract, Southampton are in no rush to sell one of their most prized assets, particularly with understudy Tino Livramento out in the long term with a serious knee injury.
Nevertheless, there is the potential for Chelsea to test Southampton's resolve, particularly after a summer where the South Coast outfit have committed to a high financial outlay.
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Romano adds that Walker-Peters is just one of a number of names that are being considered by Chelsea with Denzil Dumfries still said to be their first-choice target.
However, it is claimed that Inter Milan have no plans at this stage to part ways with the Netherlands international, who is valued in the region of £34m.
Chelsea are likely to weigh up their options until they are able to determine whether Barcelona plan to press ahead with a move for Azpilicueta.
The club legend has less than 12 months remaining on his contract, but the Catalan giants are in a position where they must first free up space in their first-team squad.
If Chelsea successfully sign Cucurella, it will almost certainly result in Marcos Alonso also making the switch to Camp Nou.
Darren Plant
