Leicester City are looking at Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico as a replacement for Ben Chilwell, who is expected to join Chelsea.

England international Chilwell is set to leave Leicester for around £50 million and a deal could be completed as early as next week.

It’ll leave a gap in Brendan Rodgers’ defence and according to Fabrizio Romano, Tagliafico is a target.

The Foxes have been in contact with the 27-year-old’s agent and talks could advance once Chilwell has left.

Tagliafico joined Ajax in 2018 and was part of the side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.

He played 24 times in the Eredivisie this season, with no champion crowned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

No fee has been suggested for the Argentine international but he would bring experience to a young Leicester side.

Leicester finished fifth in the Premier League and will be playing in the Europa League next season.

Meanwhile, Chilwell is keen to leave the King Power Stadium in search of Champions League football.

He is under contract until 2024 and Leicester aren’t willing to budge on their valuation of the player.

Frank Lampard has already bolstered his ranks this summer with the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.

A deal for Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz is also said to be close, while veteran defender Thiago Silva has reportedly been offered to the club.

Lampard told Sky Sports back in June that Chelsea’s business proves owner Roman Abramovich is ‘still committed’ to the club.

“I haven’t spoken to him (Abramovich) recently; I speak to Marina (Granovskaia) a lot and with Petr (Cech),” said Lampard. “We are very joined up and we talk a lot and communication is key in that.

“When you say that I know the owner very well, in the workplace, to a degree, I do.

“But I also understand what he wants for this club. I played under it, I felt it as a player when he first came here so I get that, and with my conversations with Marina that’s always relayed.

“I want the same as him. In terms of his commitment, I think he has shown his commitment regularly to our football club.

“We have done some business now that will hopefully improve us for next season and we want to keep moving forward.

“One thing I really realised coming into this job, I was here a long time as a player, but as manager people will consistently ask you about your relationship with the board and the owner etc.

“And I hope that this shows how we’ve worked together, all of us, with how we work, with recruitment, scouting and all playing our roles in trying to bring the right players and being joined up.

“So I think we have to be very positive. This is Chelsea Football Club and we want to close the gap. And signings like Timo and Ziyech are both nice statements.”

source:- sportbible