Chelsea close to signing £40m-rated centre-back

Chelsea are reportedly close to securing the signature of Lewis Dunk from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The Blues are eager to land a new centre-back this summer and they have been linked with a number of players including West Ham United's Declan Rice.

The west London side recently made an attempt to sign Rice with a proposal involving Michy Batshuayi and Ross Barkley, but the offer was rejected by the Hammers, who value their player at £80m.

Hence, the club have had to look elsewhere in their attempt to bolster the central defence and The Sun claims that they are close to landing the services of Dunk from the Seagulls.

The England international is said to be the subject of interest from both the Blues and Tottenham Hotspur, but he has made his intention clear to join the former of those clubs.

Dunk remains a boyhood Chelsea fan and he is eager to join the club this summer. Frank Lampard's side are likely to pay a fee of around £40m to land his signature.