Transfer News: Chelsea face setback in their pursuit of 24-year-old Serie A ace

Chelsea handed transfer blow as Theo Hernandez agrees to extend AC Milan contract

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano via Twitter (h/t Football.London), Chelsea target Theo Hernandez has agreed to a new deal with current club AC Milan and the official announcement will be made soon.

The 24-year-old has become an instrumental part of Rossoneri’s backline in the last couple of seasons. The Blues have been linked with the former Real Madrid player but any chance of getting him appears to have gone with the wind as it is believed that the French professional footballer is on the verge of signing a new contract with the Serie A side.

The wing-back provides a serious attacking threat and would thus be a great acquisition to add more depth to the Stamford Bridge outfit. The Blues have had to deal with several injury issues through this campaign along with Covid scares, placing great pressure on the squad.

The Blues have some great options namely Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso at left-back. That being said, the former suffered an ACL injury in the UEFA Champions League clash against Juventus this season and is out for the remainder of the campaign. The Spanish international is the club’s only senior left-back at the moment and this lack of alternatives could be a grave issue heading into the business end of the season.

Theo Hernandez and Chelsea’s defensive scares at the moment

The Blues have built a solid defensive partnership at the back but there are some alarm bells ringing at Stamford Bridge right now. Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, and Cesar Azpilicueta have contracts that will expire at the end of the summer and none of them have still signed an extension with the club.

Whilst anything may be considered conjecture at this moment the London-based club will do well to prepare themselves for a defensive exodus in the summer. The Blues were very quiet in the transfer window in January and could be tempted to make a move for defensive reinforcements in the coming summer.

Hernandez has played 107 matches across all competitions with the Italian club during which time he has scored 19 goals and provided 20 assists. The 24-year-old is still growing and yet to reach the peak of his career which could have been a great signing especially in the long term.

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Even though it feels as though the pursuit of the wing-back has now come to an end, the Stamford Bridge outfit could do well to add some defenders over the coming transfer window to boost the defensive depth of the squad. It will also aid Thomas Tuchel to rotate his squad with greater effect.