Chelsea are reportedly prepared to prioritise a deal for Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez.
While Frank Lampard has recently strengthened his squad in the final third, the Blues boss is also desperate to bring in fresh faces at the opposite end of the pitch.
Declan Rice, who can play in the centre of defence or midfield, has previously been suggested as a top target for Chelsea for the summer window.
However, according to Football Insider, club officials would prefer to get a deal for Gimenez over the line at this stage.
The report suggests that the Uruguay international could be available for £60m, significantly less than what West Ham United are demanding for Rice.
Although Gimenez has a release clause of £110m, Atletico may be happy to cash in on the 25-year-old due to the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
