Chelsea are allegedly among a number of clubs who are contemplating a move for an emerging Serie A defender.
Despite sitting in the top five of the Premier League table, the Blues only possess the joint-seventh defensive record in the division.
That is a consequence of just five clean sheets being kept in 27 top-flight fixtures, something which must improve if Enzo Maresca's side are to earn qualification for the Champions League.
The Italian is already blessed with a wide array of options for his backline, albeit some of the current members of the squad not necessarily viewed as long term or ready for regular senior game time.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea's hierarchy are giving consideration to making an approach for Bologna's Sam Beukema.
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Beukema stock growing
The report suggests that Chelsea had representatives present when Bologna recently recorded a potentially-pivotal victory over AC Milan in Serie A.
Beukema completed the 90 minutes in the centre of the Bologna defence as his side earned a 2-1 win, the 26-year-old making his 33rd start of the campaign.
Although Beukema is yet to play for the Netherlands, his stock remains on the rise having also gotten eight outings in the Champions League belt during 2024-25.
With just two years remaining on his contract come the summer, higher-profile clubs will realistically be considering whether to bid for Beukema, regardless of whether Bologna earn a return to European football for next season.
Bologna paid in the region of €10m (£8.3m) when signing the player from AZ Alkmaar in 2023 and would expect to make a substantial profit if they cashed in later this year.
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What other clubs are interested?
Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus are each said to be admirers of Beukema as they look at ways to improve their defence.
Furthermore, Atletico Madrid are also seemingly monitoring the situation as they look for value in the market, the Spanish side realistically unable to spend vast amount of funds given what they shelled out last summer.
The report adds that Beukema's former manager being Juventus boss Thiago Motta could hand an advantage to the Turin-based outfit, providing that he keeps his role in the dugout.
Darren Plant
