Chelsea plan £43m bid to sign Barcelona star ahead of Liverpool and Man Utd

Chelsea are set to make a £43m bid for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo and are ‘confident’ of striking a deal, according to reports in Spain.

The Club World Cup holders are searching the transfer market for centre-back options after Levi Colwill’s major injury blow.

Colwill, 22, required surgery on a serious knee injury and is now expected to miss most of the season.

Chelsea have already spent over £150m this summer and the Blues are still working on deals for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.

But the Colwill injury could lead to even more Chelsea investment, with Football Espana claiming they are lining up an offer for Barcelona’s Araujo.

The Uruguay international has made 175 appearances for Barca since being signed from Boston River in 2018.

Araujo has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years and reports in Spain say Chelsea are no alone in expressing interest in a deal.

It is claimed that, like Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham are also showing ‘serious interest’ in Araujo, while Manchester United are ‘monitoring the situation closely’.

But Chelsea appear to be leading the transfer race as things stand and Football Espana say they have indicated they would be willing to pay £43m to bring the Uruguayan to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are even reportedly confident that they fee would convince Barcelona to part ways with Araujo given the La Liga giant’s financial difficulties.

The issue for Chelsea is the reigning Spanish champions are already set to sell centre-back Inigo Martinez to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, meaning they may block Araujo’s exit.

But Chelsea plan to test Barcelona’s resolve with a bid expected to be tabled in the coming days.

Asked whether Chelsea would be looking to sign a direct replacement for Colwill after his unfortunate injury setback, Blues boss Enzo Maresca said: ‘It depends – we will wait and see.

‘You know in our way, how important Levi has been. I spoke with him yesterday and I told him that if we achieve what we achieved last year, it is also because of him – and he was a main player for us.’

Chelsea’s alternative defensive options are new signing Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong.

Stamford Bridge hero Frank Leboeuf says losing Colwill is a ‘big blow’ but believes Chelsea already have the players needed to cover.

‘It’s a shame because Levi Colwill was the most experienced player compared to the others,’ he said on ESPN. ‘He had a great season and was leading the defence.

‘But I believe that players like Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo can do the job.

‘It is a big blow because Colwill has proven that he’s a real talented player and can have a bright future.

‘Chalobah was called back from Crystal Palace last season and did very well until the rest of the season. Even Tosin can do the job.’

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