CHELSEA have been told to cough up £50million for Brighton defender Lewis Dunk, according to reports.
The Blues are looking for reinforcements in defence and see the Seagulls centre-back as a viable alternative to Antonio Rudiger, Fikayo Tomori, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen.
Lewis Dunk impressed for Brighton in their 1-1 draw against Chelsea on New Year’s DayCredit: Reuters
Frank Lampard’s side have struggled at the back but have a big budget to work with after their transfer ban.
And they have been told to dig deep if they want to sign the defender, who would cost them £50m, according to the Times.
Another option could be a player-plus-cash deal if any of their players wanted to be guaranteed first-team football on the South Coast.
Chelsea have kept just five clean sheets this season and their defence has looked wobbly at times.
Dunk has been at Brighton all his career, apart from a loan spell at Bristol City in 2013-14.
At 28, he may decide this is his best opportunity to play in the Champions League.
The Seagulls skipper played in all 38 Premier League games during his club’s first season in the top tier.
LACK OF CLEAN SHEETS
And he missed only two games last term before playing in 20 matches this term.
Dunk has scored five Premier League goals in three seasons in the top flightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He also has five goals to his name in the top flight, a facet of his game that should not be sniffed at.
Michy Batshuayi is one name who could be leaving Chelsea this season with the Blues demanding £45m for the Belgian’s signature — a price point that has led Crystal Palace and Aston Villa to cool their interest.
Lampard’s first signing as Stamford Bridge boss has been 16-year-old Norwegian wonderkid Bryan Fibema, who put pen to paper after impressing during a trial in December.
Lampard says no decision has been made on Olivier Giroud’s future
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
