Chelsea are reportedly considering whether to meet Brighton & Hove Albion's £40m valuation of Ben White.
Despite having never featured in a Premier League fixture, White has just helped Leeds United earn a return to the top flight.
While the Yorkshire giants are unlikely to turn the 22-year-old's loan spell into a permanent stay, White is attracting interest from a wide range of clubs.
According to the Daily Star, Chelsea are ready to put themselves at the front of the queue by expressing a willingness to meet Brighton's asking price.
Having witnessed his team struggled at the back throughout the campaign, Frank Lampard is eager to sign at least one new defender during the summer window.
Although top-flight champions Liverpool are also said to be in the running, it appears unlikely that the Merseyside outfit will want to pay a significant fee for a player who would only be regarded as backup to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Darren Plant
