Chelsea ‘closing in on signing Ben Chilwell after breakthrough in talks with Leicester City in world-record fee for a left back’

Chelsea’s pursuit for a left back looks to have taken a step in the right direction, according to reports.

The Times claims that the Blues are closing in on signing Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell.

The England international has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for a while and that move may become a reality with an apparent breakthrough in talks between the two clubs.

Leicester value Chilwell at close to £80m – the fee they recieved from Manchester United for centre back Harry Maguire last summer. And according to the Times, a breakthrough has been met in talks over the transfer fee, which could be a world record for a left back.

If the 23-year-old did join the Blues for that price, it would surpass the £68m Bayern Munich paid Atletico Madrid for Lucas Hernandez last year and the £52m outlay by Manchester City to lure Benjamin Mendy away from Monaco in 2017.

Chilwell still has another four years at the King Power Stadium with his contract a reported £65,000-a-week.

The Foxes are aware of Chelsea’s financial clout with Frank Lampard’s side having already spent £90m this summer for Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, while they also remain in the hunt for Kai Havertz who is valued at £90m by Bayer Leverkusen.

Chilwell, an academy graduate from Leicester, was a virtual ever-present for Brendan Rodgers’ side this season making 33 appearances in all competitions.