Chelsea have reportedly made 'fresh contact' over a summer move for Feyenoord and Slovakia defender David Hancko in their efforts to beat Liverpool to a deal.
The Blues are not deprived of centre-backs at present, although they have now lost the injury-plagued Wesley Fofana to another season-ending injury, with the Frenchman going under the knife to treat a hamstring problem.
Enzo Maresca can still call upon Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Levi Colwill, Benoit Badiashile and Trevoh Chalobah, though, while Axel Disasi is currently plying his trade on loan at Aston Villa.
Both Disasi and Badiashile may be tempted from offers elsewhere in the summer window, though, and Chelsea are supposedly open to adding to their defensive ranks if the right opportunity presents itself.
According to CaughtOffside, Feyenoord's Hancko is firmly on their radar, and the Blues have now touched base with their Dutch counterparts once again for more information.
Chelsea told to pay £42.8m for Hancko?
© Imago
The Slovakia international became a stalwart of the Eredivisie side under Arne Slot, who was inevitably tipped to bring him to Liverpool when he replaced Jurgen Klopp as head coach last summer.
However, Hancko remained in Rotterdam, where he has enhanced his reputation as an attack-minded defender with four goals and four assists in 41 appearances across all tournaments this term.
The 27-year-old is equally competent at centre-back and left-back, and even though he still has three years left on his contract, Feyenoord are apparently resigned to losing him when the window opens.
The Rotterdam outfit are said to have slapped a €50m (£42.8m) price tag on the defender's head, although suitors are hopeful that they could drive that fee down during the last knockings of the summer window.
At this juncture, Chelsea's interest is rumoured to be the 'most advanced' ahead of an intense transfer battle for Hancko, who also started all four of Slovakia's games at Euro 2024 at left-back.
Which clubs will Chelsea have to battle for Hancko?
© IconSport
The same report adds that Liverpool are expected to try again for the 27-year-old in the summer window, although there will not be such an urgent need for the Reds to make a move if Virgil van Dijk stays.
The Dutchman recently confirmed that 'progress' had been made in talks over a new contract, and even though Hancko would also be an option at left-back, Milos Kerkez is believed to be Liverpool's number one target in that area.
Chelsea can therefore consider themselves to be in with a better chance of signing Hancko than Liverpool, but there are reportedly three other big names in the race for the Slovakian.
Juventus, Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid are also queuing up to present offers in the summer transfer window, and Hancko's decision may very well come down to which side can offer him both regular game time and Champions League football in 2025-26.
Ben Knapton
