Chelsea will hope to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League when they host FC Copenhagen on Thursday night.
The Blues boast a 2-1 lead going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge, and will therefore be favourites to progress into the last eight of the competition.
Enzo Maresca’s side have now won their last three games across all competitions, most recently beating Leicester City 1-0 in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
That result could prove crucial in the Blues’ pursuit of a top four spot this term, but Maresca will also be desperate to see his side lift the Conference League trophy at the end of the season.
This summer Chelsea could once again be busy in the transfer market, and it appears that Maresca has doubts about one member of his current squad and could look to replace him.
As per CaughtOffside, the West London outfit are prepared to step up their interest in Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo amid ongoing concerns about the long-term fitness of Romeo Lavia.
Mainoo is a target for Chelsea
Lavia, 21, joined the Blues from Southampton in 2023 but has been plagued by injuries ever since and has only played 13 times for Chelsea across all competitions since his move.
It is claimed that those in charge of Chelsea are therefore concerned about the Belgian’s fitness record, and they are considering a move to sign a new central midfielder.
That has lead them to Mainoo, 19, who is a product of United’s youth academy and has now established himself as a regular for both the Red Devils and England.
At present Mainoo is under contract with his boyhood club until 2027, but the two parties are locked in negotiations about a new deal.
Mainoo is said to currently earn around £20,000-per-week, but his representatives are believed to be asking for pay rise that would earn the player as much as £180,000-per-week.
The report claims that Chelsea are keeping tabs on the Englishman’s situation ahead of this summer’s transfer window.