Chelsea have reportedly set their sights on Stuttgart starlet Borna Sosa as Thomas Tuchel grows desperate to sign a new left-back.
According to Sky Deutschland, as relayed by Fussball Transfers, Borna Sosa has emerged as a potential target for Chelsea. The reigning European champions are in the market for a new left-back this January, with the VfB Stuttgart starlet being identified as one of the two top targets after the club initially missed out on Lucas Digne.
While Digne opted to switch to Aston Villa, Chelsea have been linked with a move for a host of other talented left-backs across Europe, including Theo Hernandez. However, the AC Milan superstar is set to cost a fortune, while the Blues have not had much luck in bringing Emerson Palmieri back from his loan spell at Lyon.
It has compelled Thomas Tuchel to set his sights on the Bundesliga, with Sosa emerging as an ideal option. A product of the famed Dinamo Zagreb youth academy, the left-back was one of the rising stars in the Bundesliga last season, racking up ten assists in 26 matches. His combination with Sasa Kalajdzic had helped Stuttgart achieve a mid-table finish.
Things have not been the same in the new season, though. With Kalajdzic missing the entirety of Hinrunde due to an injury, Sosa has struggled to maintain a similar level of performance. In 15 matches, he has bagged only three assists. His struggles have coincided with Stuttgart’s poor form, with the Swabians languishing at the bottom end of the league table.
Borna Sosa’s difficult season has not deterred Chelsea, though, as they desperately look for a replacement for Ben Chilwell. The English international has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury. It has left Tuchel devoid of a reliable alternative other than Marcos Alonso, who is not the most consistent player in the team.
However, the report suggests Chelsea may not have much luck pursuing Sosa. Stuttgart have no intention to offload the Croatian defender in January and have thus slapped a staggering €30 million price tag.
It could once again force Chelsea to look towards other alternatives in the market. There has been some substantial movement regarding the pursuit of Layvin Kurzawa, who was identified as a last-resort option, should Chelsea fail to sign their desired targets in this January transfer window.
