Chelsea are reportedly running the rule over Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.
The 20-year-old - a former AC Milan youth product - made the move to the South Coast over the summer after making a name for himself at AZ Alkmaar, with whom he amassed five goals and eight assists in 57 matches.
Bournemouth shelled out £15.2m to bring Kerkez to the Vitality Stadium, where he has instantly become a Premier League regular for Andoni Iraola, setting up one goal in 22 matches.
Kerkez slotted straight into the Cherries' starting XI, although he is yet to start a top-flight fixture since recovering from a training injury, coming off the bench in their last three top-flight games.
Nevertheless, the Hungary international has played a prominent role in Bournemouth's renaissance, and according to journalist Ben Jacobs - via FootballTransfers - he has caught the eye of Chelsea.
© Reuters
The West London giants are believed to be on the lookout for left-back reinforcements, having allowed Ian Maatsen to join Borussia Dortmund on loan after tying him to a new deal with a £35m release clause.
Should Maatsen come good in the second half of the season with Dortmund, the German giants will be expected to make his stay permanent, and his exit has left Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella as Chelsea's only recognised left-backs.
However, both men have struggled with injuries this season, forcing Levi Colwill to take on emergency left-back duties, a role that the Englishman has not appeared entirely comfortable in this season.
As a result, Mauricio Pochettino is keen to welcome left-sided reinforcements to Stamford Bridge, although Jacobs adds that their interest in Kerkez has not progressed any further than the scouting phase.
Furthermore, if the Blues were to press ahead with a move for the Hungarian, they would reportedly wait until 2025 or even later to make an approach as they wait to see how he develops in the coming months.
© Reuters
Bournemouth did not disclose the length of Kerkez's contract upon his arrival, simply stating that he had signed a "long-term agreement", although it is believed to run until the end of the 2026-27 season.
The defender's contract situation leaves the Cherries in a strong position to demand a reasonable fee, and Chelsea may only prioritise his signing if they fail in their efforts to prise Alphonso Davies away from Bayern Munich.
Speculation over the left-back's next career move is hotting up, as he is currently due to become a free agent in the summer of 2025, and talks with Bayern over a renewal are yet to lead to a resolution.
However, both Manchester City and Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Davies, and the Bernabeu is said to be his most likely destination if he calls time on his Bayern career.
Chelsea rose into the top half of the Premier League table with a 3-1 win over London rivals Crystal Palace on Monday night and are next in action away to champions Manchester City on Saturday evening.
Ben Knapton
