Chelsea are plotting a shock move to snap up academy graduate Valentino Livramento, according to the Daily Mail.
The Blues plan to sign Livramento and leave him on loan with Southampton for another season.
Livramento, who left Stamford Bridge two years ago in search of game time, enjoyed an impressive debut campaign at St Mary’s before suffering a ruptured cruciate ligament.
The 20-year-old is now attracting interest from several Premier League clubs following Southampton’s relegation from the top flight.
Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are interested in Livramento. The Magpies have already had a £12 million offer rejected, with Southampton holding out for more than triple that amount.
While the Magpies have since returned with an improved bid, they face further competition in the race to sign Livramento with Chelsea now in the mix.
Despite the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta to Atletico Madrid as a free agent, Chelsea still boast two senior right-backs in Reece James and Malo Gusto, which makes their desire to sign Livramento somewhat surprising.
Following a selling spree which has seen them raise north of £200m this summer, Chelsea are expected to make significant additions as they prepare for life under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues have already acquired the services of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson as their first two signings of the Premier League transfer window.
Chelsea are in talks with Brighton for Moises Caicedo and in the running to land Romeo Lavia amid interest from fellow top-six rivals Liverpool and Arsenal.
