Chelsea weigh up move for French youth international defender

Chelsea have opened talks to sign Sunderland defender Timothee Pembele this summer, as the 21-year-old right-back looks set for a surprise move to Stamford Bridge. The former Paris Saint-Germain player has appeared for France's national team at every level from under-16 to under-20, and is very highly rated at the Black Cats, who could demand as much as £14 million to sell the defensive starlet.

Just last season, Sunderland paid around £5 million to sign the versatile defender, who is comfortable playing either on the right side or central defence. After playing eight times in the Championship, Chelsea are ready to swoop, as the club continue their ambitious project to sign Europe's best young players.

Pembele is not expected to play on a regular basis should he join the Blues, but the Stamford Bridge outfit expect him to cover for the likes of Axel Disasi.

Sunderland could also be given an opportunity to keep Pembele for one more season on loan as Chelsea see the defender as a long-term option for the first-team.