Chelsea have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai over a potential move in the January transfer window.
According to a report from Football Insider, Chelsea are considering making a swoop for Fenerbahce and Hungary centre-back Attila Szalai in the January window and have opened talks with his agents over a possible transfer.
Szalai began his footballing education in his homeland, Hungary but joined the Rapid Wien youth academy in Austria in 2012. The defender spent over five years at the club but managed just one senior appearance before leaving for Hungarian outfit Mezokovesd Zsory FC in 2017. After two years at the club, he signed for Cypriot club Apollon Limassol in 2019.
After making close to 50 appearances, Szalai moved to Fenerbahce in January and has become a mainstay at the heart of the defence for the Turkish giants, featuring 41 times in which he has three goals. A regular for the Hungarian national team since making his debut in 2019, he has 23 international caps.
The 23-year-old’s progression with club and country have led to an interest in his services from top clubs in Europe, including Barcelona and Chelsea. But it seems like the Blues are stepping up their pursuit of Szalai, having already opened talks with the representatives of the Hungarian international in London exploring the possibility of a transfer in January.
Chelsea have a rock-solid defence built around the leadership of Thiago Silva and Antonio Rudiger, with one among Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Trevoh Chalobah accompanying the duo in Thomas Tuchel’s three-man backline. However, everyone apart from Chalobah will be out of contract at the end of the season.
Talks over extending Thiago Silva’s contract have begun while there have been reports of Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta’s new contract being close as well. But speculations continue to do the rounds concerning their future, with Barcelona, particularly, showing a keen interest in signing them up.
Rudiger, too, has emerged as a top target for a host of clubs despite Chelsea’s attempts to try and tie him down to a new deal. With the situation being as it is, the Blues want to strengthen their options in the central defensive area. They have identified Szalai as a transfer target, with talks progressing over a potential January move.
The west London giants plan to test Fenerbahce’s resolve with an offer in the upcoming transfer window. It will be interesting to see if they get their man or are forced to look for other options in the market.
