Chelsea add another Southampton defender to summer shortlist

Southampton's Cedric Soares is the latest to have emerged as a potential target for Chelsea ahead of this summer's transfer window.

The Portugal international has been ever-present for the South Coast outfit over the past 18 months, and his showing has also captured the attention of Barcelona and Manchester City.

According to The London Evening Standard, Soares has been added to the Blues transfer shortlist which also includes team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Bertrand.

The Saints have been deemed as a selling club over the years with Liverpool benefiting the most from their players over the past couple of seasons.

However, the west London giants could be the next to take advantage of the Saints' policy with the trio being identified as potential options to bolster the backline ahead of a Champions League challenge next term.

The Blues have utilized Victor Moses as the right wing-back for most of the campaign and his injury absence against Crystal Palace proved key to a surprise defeat at Stamford Bridge over the weekend.

Next up is a clash against Manchester City, and Chelsea will have to be in their best shape in order to maintain their seven-point lead over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.