CHELSEA have received a £30million bid from Brighton for Levi Colwill, according to reports.
The defender has had great success on loan at Brighton this season and has emerged as one of England’s most promising left-footed centre-backs.
And following the clubs’ respective campaigns, which saw Chelsea hit a record low and Brighton a record high, the Seagulls have submitted a bid to try and coax Colwill to stay at the Amex Stadium.
However, Sky Sports report the bid was rejected, with Chelsea having “no plans” to sell the 20-year-old.
Colwill made 17 Premier League appearances on the South Coast during the season, becoming a key part of Roberto De Zerbi’s fluid system which champions building up from the back.
The former academy graduate was given his Premier League debut last August by ex-Seagulls boss Graham Potter when Brighton claimed their first-ever league win at Manchester United.
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De Zerbi has already resigned himself to losing star names such as Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister.
As a result, Brighton have already set about recruiting reinforcements ahead of their inaugural season in European football.
Brazilian Joao Pedro has already been brought in for a club record £30m, with the club’s bid for Colwill matching this.
However, Chelsea fans seemed to be almost insulted by the bid, with one fan reacting: “Embarrassing bid that.”
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A second fan said: “Big jokers!”
A third declared: “£30m for Colwill Brighton are not serious at all.”
While a fourth remarked: “£30m? That’s a f***ing insult, especially after charging us £60m for [Marc] Cucurella.”
The Blues are set for a mass exodus of stars this summer, with a bloated squad which saw some players forced to get changed in corridors.
Todd Boehly sanctioned a £600m spending spree on new talent over his first two windows since buying the club.
But with no Champions League football – or any kind of European football for that matter – next season, Chelsea’s books are set to take a big hit.
Consequently, a clearout is needed, and new boss Mauricio Pochettino has already taken to the task of cutting his squad down to size.
Colwill’s fellow centre-back Kalidou Kouliably is one of those who could make way during the close season.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, a versatile defender, is also likely to leave.
Loanees Joao Felix and Denis Zakaria will not be turned into permanent transfers by the club, though SunSport understands the former has been offered to Newcastle.
Long-term stars Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are set to be among the first names out of the door at Stamford Bridge, with reports linking them to Manchester City and AC Milan respectively.
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Meanwhile, Mason Mount also appears to be set for a move to Manchester United after reportedly agreeing terms with the Red Devils.
Sky’s report also adds that Pochettino has Colwill “firmly in his plans” beyond the transfer window.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
