Highly-rated Leicester City defender Ben Nelson could be set for a reunion with former Foxes boss Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.
It had been thought the 21-year-old would become an integral part of the Leicester City team next season after a successful loan at Oxford United.
But rebuilding of the Foxes’ backline after relegation may now have to go further than first thought amid speculation that Chelsea - and Maresca - are keen on recruiting the youngster.
The Telegraph claim Nelson is being tracked by a number of top-flight teams but that Chelsea, who also pondered a move for him back in January, are in the box seat.
They add: “Nelson was given his first-team debut at Leicester last season by Maresca, who continues to admire the centre-back.”
While selling the Leicester academy graduate would be good news for Leicester from a PSR point of view, it would complicate their team building plans for a promotion push next term.
The future of all four of City’s current centre-backs is in doubt, but especially those of Jannik Vestegaard, an outcast under current manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, and Wout Faes, the Belgian who is a strong contender to be sold.
Conor Coady has a year to run on his current deal, but Caleb Okoli, very much a fringe player since his arrival from Atalanta last summer, could also be let go.
Leicester do have Harry Souttar to call upon after his curtailed loan at Sheffield United, although he may be out until the end of the year as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Nelson, an England under-20s international described by Maresca last year as the “ideal” defender, made eight appearances for the club during their promotion season.
The Telegraph report adds: “Chelsea are in the market to strengthen in central defence and Nelson would fit the mould of a promising young player they can further develop. The Leicester academy graduate would also count as homegrown.
“It remains to be seen what kind of fee he will command but he has already been tipped as a future England international and has been likened, in playing style and ability on the ball, to John Stones.”
Nelson was hailed by Oxford fans as “destined to be a Premier League player” after he helped steer the Us to Championship safety, scoring at Sunderland in a 2-0 victory that ensured they dodged relegation with a game to spare.
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