Chelsea eye €120m-rated Uruguayan star to bolster a problematic position

Chelsea keen on signing Jose Maria Gimenez from Atletico Madrid

According to a report from ESPN, Chelsea are intent on securing the services of Atletico Madrid and Uruguay defender Jose Maria Gimenez in the ongoing transfer window.

The 25-year-old Gimenez is one of the most accomplished young defenders in Europe currently. Having joined the Colchoneros back in the summer of 2013 from Danubio, he has won a UEFA Europa League and a UEFA Super Cup with Atletico.

A mainstay at the back for club and country, Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has his sights firmly set on Gimenez as he eyes reinforcements ahead of next season. (h/t ESPN)

Chelsea have shipped in as many as 54 goals in the recently concluded Premier League season. No other team in the Premier League’s top ten conceded more than us.

So it is of paramount importance that Chelsea look to bolster the options at the back. At the moment, Lampard has four centre-backs at his disposal in the form of Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma.

None of them have been able to perform consistently, thus warranting the addition of a long-term defensive solution at the back.

Gimenez, to that end, has emerged as a viable target for the club. As per the report, Chelsea have had scouts watch the Uruguayan international on multiple occasions this season, and manager Lampard has been left impressed by the reports he has received.

However, for Chelsea to make a move for Gimenez, Lampard will first have to offload one of his current central defenders.

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In addition, the defender’s €120m valuation could also become a problem, given that we have already spent heavily on Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, while a move for Kai Havertz is also in the works. Plus, the club is also eyeing a new left-back and a goalkeeper. (h/t ESPN)

Then there is also the small matter of interest from Manchester City, who have the financial clout to match his valuation and offer him better terms as well. So chances are we may not be able to land the Uruguayan.