Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing centre-back Ruben Dias, who could be sold by Manchester City in 2025.
Dias is enjoying his fifth season at the Etihad Stadium since joining from Benfica for around £62m and has made a total of 191 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions.
The 27-year-old has won 10 trophies as a Man City player, including four successive Premier League titles, while he was also a first-team regular in the side that won a historic treble under Pep Guardiola in 2022-23.
Dias has since played in 13 of Man City's 14 matches across all tournaments so far this season, starting the last three Premier League games as captain and helping the club preserve their unbeaten start.
The Portugal international, a fans' favourite at the Etihad, still has over two years remaining on his contract, but a report has emerged claiming that an exit from the Citizens cannot be ruled out next summer.
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Could Man City really sell Dias in 2025?
According to TEAMtalk, Man City are weighing up allowing Dias to leave the Etihad next year and his potential sale could depend on whether the club are found guilty of breaching the well-documented 115 financial charges levelled against them by the Premier League.
It has been suggested that the Citizens could face punishments such as heavy fines, points deductions or even expulsion from multiple competitions if they are found guilty, with a final verdict not expected to arrive until some stage in early 2025.
Man City are said to be continuing to plan for the future despite their ongoing legal battle with the Premier League and 'a new era of players' could form a new-look squad at the Etihad, meaning that some familiar faces may depart.
The report states that Dias could be one of those who is sold by Man City, and if so, a host of European clubs including Chelsea would be interested in his services.
Chelsea are said to be keeping tabs on Dias's situation and view the defender's vast experience at the highest level as a 'priceless addition' to Enzo Maresca's youthful squad.
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Is a transfer for Dias to Chelsea realistic?
If Man City were to face serious charges such as demotion if found guilty of breaching financial changes, then the prospect of several star names leaving the club in order to continue playing at the highest level cannot be ruled out.
However, possible sanctions against Man City are merely speculation at this stage and it seems unlikely that the reigning Premier League champions would be willing to allow one of their key defenders to join a Premier League rival shortly before he enters the prime years of his career.
Chelsea, meanwhile, may well be prioritising other positions in the transfer market as opposed to central defensive targets, with the West Londoners known to still be on the lookout for a new centre-forward after failing to sign Victor Osimhen in the summer.
Maresca currently has Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Renato Veiga at his disposal who are all comfortable operating as central defenders.
Oliver Thomas
