Chelsea reportedly hold an interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah.
In recent transfer windows, the Blues have spent big to reshape their defensive options and are currently well-stocked in that category.
As it stands, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill are regarded as Mauricio Pochettino's first four options, while Wesley Fofana is sidelined with a long-term injury.
However, there are doubts over the future of Silva, who is now 39 years of age and contract is due to expire at the end of the season.
Silva, himself, has acknowledged that he is unsure over his next move, their being the obvious lure of ending his playing days with former club Fluminense.
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That said, it is far from guaranteed that Chelsea will be prepared to offer the Brazil international fresh terms courtesy of his age and the eventual need to move on from the veteran.
According to BILD journalist Christian Falk, Chelsea's recruitment team have identified Tah as a potential addition next summer.
At the age of 27, there is an argument that Tah is outside of the current criteria that Chelsea usually target, with that being players in their early twenties and offering deals in excess of six years.
Nevertheless, Tah can be regarded as one of the European's best defenders at the present time having established himself as a regular in an in-form Leverkusen side.
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The Germany international has contributed four goals from his 18 appearances this season, starting all but one of those outings in all competitions.
While Leverkusen would preferably like to retain his services, Tah's contract at the Bundesliga title challengers expires in 2025.
Falk adds that Tah has just appointed esteemed agent Pini Zahavi as his new representative, potentially a sign that he is considering his options ahead of the summer.
Tah is said to possess a release clause in his contract, although it is unclear whether he would give any consideration to departing Leverkusen when they are bidding to dethrone Bayern Munich in Germany's top flight.
Darren Plant
