Chelsea open talks to sign Premier League defender

Chelsea are understood to have opened negotiations with Leicester City to secure the signature of defender Ben Chilwell.

The Blues are aiming to complete most of their summer business in advance and they have already signed Hakim Ziyech from Ajax.

Timo Werner has also been tipped to join them from RB Leipzig and it appears that they are now looking to strengthen their defence for next term.

According to The Guardian, the west London giants have opened negotiations with the Foxes for Chilwell as they aim to bolster their left-back department.

Frank Lampard's side still have a battle on their hands to sign the England international, considering the east Midlands outfit are reluctant to accept anything less than £60m for the graduate.

The Blues currently have Emerson and Marcos Alonso as the specialist left-backs but the former has been tipped to return to the Serie A when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.

Alonso, on the other hand, has struggled when it comes to playing in a traditional four-man backline and Lampard is keen on landing Chilwell, who is comfortable defending in all formations.