Chelsea have reportedly been informed that they will have to come up with an offer of £50m if they wish to sign Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Lewis Dunk during the January transfer window.
The Blues are expected to be active this month having seen their transfer suspension overturned.
According to The Times, head coach Frank Lampard is keen to bring a new centre-back to Stamford Bridge, and Dunk has been identified by the club as a potential signing.
However, the report claims that Brighton have placed a £50m valuation on the 28-year-old, which would make him the second-most expensive English centre-back behind Harry Maguire.
Dunk, who was linked with Leicester City during the summer after Maguire joined Manchester United, is closing in on 200 appearances for Brighton in all competitions and has turned out for the Seagulls in League One, the Championship and now the Premier League.
Chelsea have also been linked with a move for West Ham United's Issa Diop.
Matt Law
