Chelsea could be willing to sell Kurt Zouma in order to increase their chances of signing Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso.

According to French media outlet L’Equipe, Chelsea are willing to let go of their backup defender Kurt Zouma to sweeten the deal to land Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso in the summer.

It is understood that Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is a huge fan of the French defender and hopes to sign him as he is facing an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge due to the impressive performances of the Chelsea defenders this past season.

Aulas has reportedly made an enquiry to see whether the London outfit are willing to let go of the player, and the Blues could make Zouma available for sale should Lyon’s Corentin Tolisso move the other way.

The French midfielder is unlikely to come on the cheap for Chelsea, but adding Zouma to the deal could see a considerable decrease in the transfer fee should the move go through. Tolisso is one of Ligue 1’s finest talents, and it is no surprise than Antonio Conte is interested in signing him.

The Italian manager has used a settled back three of Cesar Azipilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill this season, and it has helped Chelsea secure their second Premier League title in three seasons.

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - October 31: Kurt Zouma of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League 2 match between Everton U21s and Chelsea U21s at Haig Avenue Stadium on October 31, 2016 in Southport, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Kurt Zouma made just three starts for Chelsea this past season due to a knee injury, and could be looking for a move away for regular first-team football. (Photo Courtesy: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

However, they will return to the Champions League next season and will be looking to add to the depth in their squad. Conte reportedly does not see Zouma as a viable option as he has been injury prone since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2014, and is willing to part ways with him.

His departure could see Tolisso walk through the door at the club in the summer, who is a highly promising midfield talent. The interest in him has probably arisen as Chelsea may have hit a roadblock in their pursuit of Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko.

While Tolisso isn’t the type of player Bakayoko is, shelling out a considerable amount of cash on two midfielders in the same transfer window is not something the Chelsea board are likely to sanction.

Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante have been exceptional in the middle of the park this season, and in their stead, Cesc Fabregas has stepped up to the plate, giving Conte an array of options to choose from.

However, with Matic’s future uncertain at the club due to his links with Manchester United, Conte may be looking at Tolisso to fill in the void should the Serbian part ways with the Blues after winning two league titles with them.

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