Chelsea have reportedly reached a decision over an asking price for defender Trevoh Chalobah.
Last summer, it was an open secret that the arrival of Axel Disasi and reintegration of Levi Colwill effectively left Chalobah out in the cold.
However, rather than move to either Bayern Munich or Nottingham Forest, the versatile academy graduate ultimately stayed put, yet spent up to February on the sidelines through injury.
Having failed to make a single competitive appearance under Mauricio Pochettino, the perception was the 24-year-old's Chelsea career was nearing an end.
Instead, widespread injury issues have meant that Chalobah spent the final three months of the season as arguably one of the club's most important players.
A total of 13 starts and four substitute outings were made from February 17 and the only defeat in which he started in came against Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
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Chalobah remains available for transfer
Nevertheless, Chelsea are still in a position where they must significantly boost their position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations ahead of the next accounting date of June 30.
With selling at least one homegrown talent their preferred method, co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital are ready to consider any bids for Chalobah.
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea are prepared to sell Chalobah for a fee in the region of £25m during the next transfer window.
The report adds that Chalobah has little interest in departing Stamford Bridge, indicating he is prepared to fight for his place.
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Why Chelsea should not consider Chalobah exit
When everyone is fit, Chelsea have the central-defensive options of Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Chalobah.
The issue is that all five have not been fit at the same time, but Chalobah has taken his chance at both centre-back and right-back under the guidance of Pochettino.
If Chelsea want to operate with a smaller squad, they need versatile players who can cover problematic positions. The fitness issues of Reece James and Malo Gusto make right-back a problem position.
Chelsea also need to be careful about parting with too many homegrown players. Keeping Chalobah, Colwill and Conor Gallagher should be their priorities, with the sales of Ian Maatsen and Armando Broja better options in that regard.
Darren Plant
