'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
La Liga leaders Real Madrid have reportedly granted Chelsea permission to speak to Eder Militao in regard to a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are weighing up their options with the summer transfer window approaching and the futures of three of their regular defenders being uncertain. Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have not agreed on contract extensions yet and all have been linked with moves away from the west London side. Hence, manager Thomas Tuchel is looking at potential replacements.
According to Marca (via Football 365) one of them is Militao. The Brazilian has been a mainstay in the Los Blancos defense, making 35 appearances in all competitions so far this season and helping keep 15 clean sheets in them.
Chelsea are set to meet with the player's representatives to explore a potential transfer, but a move may be unlikely to occur. Militao reportedly wants to stay at Real Madrid but this hasn't stopped the Blues from targeting the defender.
Alongside this, Real Madrid are keen to tie the centre-back down to a longer and a more lucrative deal. Tuchel's side will have a hard time convincing the Brazil international to depart the La Liga giants.
What other options do Chelsea have if Real Madrid's Militao doesn't join?
Cesar Azpilicueta is reportedly set to move to Barcelona as per 'Everthing Barca' and Chelsea are awaiting the captain's decision on a move to the Spanish giants.
Christensen has been linked with Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga giants are looking to have the Dane replace the outgoing Niklas Sule as per Goal. The latter will join Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
It is clear the west London outfit will almost certainly be making defensive reinforcements this summer. But that may not be Militao.
Should Militao stay at Real Madrid, it begs the question as to who else the Blues are targeting.
Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is a name many are touting with a move this summer. The towering 22-year-old Dutch defender is yet to truly get going at Juve and may move to London to reignite his career as per Si.
Ronald Araujo has reportedly agreed to move to the London-based club as per El Nacional. Roman Abromovich has given an 'irrefutable offer' to the Uruguayan in a bid to get him to Stamford Bridge.
