Chelsea have apparently initiated contact over a swoop for Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko, who is also on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur.
The Slovakia international was naturally linked with a move to Liverpool last summer following Arne Slot's decision to step into Jurgen Klopp's shoes, but he chose to stay put in Rotterdam.
The Reds are now believed to have reignited their interest in Hancko, who is comfortable at both centre-back and left-back and could therefore replace either Virgil van Dijk or Andy Robertson at Anfield.
Hancko almost exclusively plays as a left-back for the Slovakia national team, but he occupies a central role for Feyenoord and has been a consistent goalscoring threat throughout his time in the Netherlands.
The 27-year-old has four goals and four assists next to his name from 37 appearances in all competitions this season, including a strike in Feyenoord's absorbing 3-3 Champions League comeback draw with Manchester City.
Chelsea to be quoted £42m for Hancko deal?
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Hancko signed a long-term contract extension with Feyenoord last year and is not due to become a free agent until 2028, but his exploits have naturally attracted the attention of some top European teams.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea are the latest side to show an interest in signing Hancko, and the Blues have already touched base to gather more information on the former Fiorentina and Sparta Prague man.
The West London giants were supposedly 'on the sidelines' before deciding to firm up their interest in Hancko, although Tottenham Hotspur are also keeping a close eye on his progress at De Kuip.
Despite Liverpool's former interest, Chelsea and Spurs are said to be leading the Premier League race at the minute, but Feyenoord have allegedly warned interested parties that the versatile defender will not be sold for anything less than €50m (£42m) in the summer transfer window.
Such a fee should still not prove problematic for either the Blues or the Lilywhites, but they will also face outside competition to bring Hancko to the Premier League for the 2025-26 season.
Which La Liga, Serie A sides are plotting Hancko swoop?
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La Liga title chasers Atletico Madrid and Serie A giants Juventus are also said to be in the mix for Hancko's signature, and Diego Simeone's side plan to start formal negotiations with Feyenoord after also holding preliminary talks.
However, Juve - who were strongly tipped to sign Hancko in January - are believed to have maintained contact with the Slovakian's camp after offering him a £4.2m contract lasting either four or five years over the winter.
The Bianconeri are supposedly optimistic that such a proposal will be enough to land the centre-back, and Hancko is 'enticed' by their offer, but he is yet to make a final decision on his next career move.
The Slovakia international moved to Feyenoord from Sparta Prague for a modest £7m in 2022 and has come up with 15 goals and 12 assists in 130 games for the Dutch giants, winning the Eredivisie, KNVB Beker and Dutch Super Cup.
Hancko also started all four games for his nation at Euro 2024, helping Slovakia reach the knockout rounds before their excruciating extra-time defeat to England in the last 16.
Ben Knapton
