Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are set to go toe-to-toe in the quest to add Fenerbahce defender, Attila Szalai to their ranks next January. The 23-year-old centre-back came into prominence after turning in impressive performances for Hungary at Euro 2020.
Thomas Tuchel's side are said to have been monitoring the defender since the beginning of the year, and are rumoured to be preparing a January raid on Fenerbahce for their prized asset.
Similarly, Atletico Madrid is credited with an interest in Szalai, with Diego Simeone looking to bolster a defence that has been shaky this season. The Rojiblancos have conceded an average of one goal per game so far this term, in a stark departure from the defensive solidity which has been the club's trademark under Simeone.
Chelsea is reportedly ready to offer Fenerbahce up to £17m for Szalai. This would mean a sizeable profit for the Turkish giants, who purchased the player for just £1.8m in January from Cypriot side, Apollon Limassol.
Szalai, standing at 6ft 4in, is also reportedly courting interest from other Premier League clubs including Leicester City and West Ham. Fenerbahce is said to be ready to let go of the player, with the Super Lig giants having designs of a mid-season spree of their own.
Szalai, dubbed the 'Hungarian Van Dijk', has featured in 39 matches for Fenerbahce in 2021, picking up only four yellow cards in the process and chipping in with three goals.
Tuchel sees the defensive powerhouse as a likely replacement for 36-year-old Thiago Silva, while Antonio Rudiger's unresolved contract situation could also be a factor in bringing in a defender as soon as January. The Blues were in a protracted negotiation for Sevilla's Jules Kounde during the summer, but could not add him to their defensive ranks.
Szalai has won 21 caps with the Hungarian national team, famously featuring in his side's 1-1 draw with England at Wembley last month.