CHELSEA are looking to re-sign an exciting academy product from Southampton, reports suggest.
The Blues’ new manager Mauricio Pochettino is in the middle of a major squad clearout as he looks to turn things around following a shambolic season that saw the club finishing 12th.
But Pochettino is also working closely with the West Londoners’ owner Todd Boehly to make the proper additions heading to the new campaign.
And, according to The Mail, Chelsea have held talks with Southampton about adding Tino Livramento to Pochettino’s backline.
The club, though, would have to splash £38million for Livramento, just two years after selling him to Saints for a mere £8m.
A potential deal, however, would likely entail loaning the England Under-21 international back to St Mary’s.
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Chelsea will deal with competition as Newcastle are in advanced talks with the versatile defender.
But the Magpies have yet to meet Southampton’s asking price for the player.
The right-back started out at the club’s academy in 2009 at the age of seven years old.
The 20-year-old played across Chelsea’s youth squads but never featured for the senior team.
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Livramento got a massive break at Southampton as he stood out on his debut season with 32 appearances.
The defender, though, couldn’t replicate the same success last term as he suffered an ACL injury that ruled him out for 13 months.
Chelsea already have Reece James and Malo Gusto available at right-back.
However, James has been reportedly eyed by some of Europe’s top bidders, such as Real Madrid.
And Pochettino would like to have an alternative ready to take over if the England international decided to leave.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk