Chelsea scout Monaco’s teen defender Badiashile ahead of January transfer swoop if ban is lifted
CHELSEA are reportedly lining up a swoop for Monaco prodigy Benoit Badiashile.
claims the teenage centre-back is high on Frank Lampard’s wishlist as the Blues look to overturn their transfer ban in January.
Badiashile, 18, is regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in Europe after breaking into Monaco’s first team this season, making seven appearances in all competitions.
And Chelsea are apparently determined to bring him to the Premier League, even if it means waiting until next summer.
It’s said that Chelsea have been scouting Badiashile for some while.
He has also represented France at U19 level and would be keen on making the move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been suffering with defensive problems all term and only kept their first Premier League clean sheet of the campaign in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brighton.
Fikayo Tomori has emerged with his head held high, but Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen have both been far from convincing.
Antonio Rudiger has struggled for fitness after a major injury at the back end of last season.
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And the opportunity is there for Badiashile to become a regular should he end up making the move to west London.
Chelsea also have Ethan Ampadu in reserve, with the Wales international currently on loan at RB Leipzig.
Badiashile isn’t the only player on Chelsea’s transfer radar, with Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Kai Havertz also thought to be of interest to the Blues.