Chelsea are planning to hijack Liverpool’s move for Brighton defender Ben White – and ditch Antonio Rudiger in the process.
Liverpool are determined to make a £20m move for the defender following his successful spell with Leeds United but Chelsea are, according to the Daily Star, said to be plotting to gazump the Jurgen Klopp’s side.
But the chances of that happening are increasingly slim, with Liverpool poised to make an opening £20million bid and Chelsea prepared to better anything on the table.
Frank Lampard’s overhaul of the leakiest rearguard in the top half of last season’s Premier League is about to get ruthless.
And it appears German international Rudiger will be one of the big-name casualties at the back this summer – along with out-of-favour Spanish keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Rudiger’s departure will further clear the way for the Blues to battle against champions Liverpool for the signature of White.
Meanwhile, Leeds United have reportedly seen a second bid for the Brighton defender rejected by the Seagulls.
White enjoyed a hugely successful season on loan at the Championship winners with Marcelo Bielsa keen to secure a permanent transfer.
Though Brighton are trying to tie White down to a new contract on the south coast as he has two seasons, plus the option of a third, remaining on his current deal.
Leeds were unsuccessful with an initial £18.5m offer for the centre-back and Sky Sports claim an improved £22m bid has also been rejected, adding that White has turned down two contract offers from Brighton.
Brighton boss Graham Potter said last month White would not be joining Leeds because he wants him back at the Amex Stadium.
Despite him not yet making a senior appearance for the club, Albion have slapped a £40m price-tag on the youngster – under contract until June 2022.
However, if that figure will make Jurgen Klopp’s Reds think twice, it will not deter Chelsea, who are spending big after completing a two-window transfer ban.
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