CHELSEA could be one step closer to completing a deal for Leicester’s Ben Chilwell after Ajax confirmed Nicolas Tagliafico will be allowed to leave the club.
The Blues and Leicester have both been linked with left-back Tagliafico but Frank Lampard has made it clear English ace Chilwell is his No1 target.
Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes are thought to view Tagliafico as the man to replace Chilwell at the King Power Stadium and his guaranteed availability could accelerate the transfer chain.
Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag confirmed the Dutch side will listen to good offers for 27-year-old Argentine defender Tagliafico.
He told Het Parool via Voetbal: “For [Andre] Onana and [Donny] Van de Beek, another year at Ajax could certainly be an option, for Tagliafico – because of his age – something different.
“In preparation I will try Lisandro Martinez at that position.”
Tagliafico turns 28 in August and if his departure from Ajax is confirmed this summer it could cause a domino effect in the transfer market.
Chelsea are looking to strengthen at left-back with Marcos Alonso and Emerson deemed not up to scratch and potentially heading for the Stamford Bridge exit.
The West London side have regularly utilised right-footed skipper Cesar Azpilicueta ahead of compatriot Alonso or Italian international Emerson on the left.
The Foxes have not set a price for highly-rated Three Lions star Chilwell but could be tempted to let him leave if they receive a bumper offer – as happened with former stars Harry Maguire and Riyad Mahrez.
Lampard has identified Tagliafico as Plan B if a deal for Chilwell fails to materialise as it is thought he will be available for a relatively low fee and is keen on a move to England.
But it now appears he is more likely to end up in the East Midlands as a replacement for 23-year-old Chilwell.
Tagliafico has impressed in Holland and helped Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals last year but could be set to leave the club having arrived at the Johan Cruyff Arena in 2018.
