'Top talent' – Sky Sports reporter names player Chelsea have entered the race for, Real Madrid interested

Chelsea have entered the race for Werder Bremen centre back Karim Coulibaly according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg.

The Blues are paying the price for not signing a replacement for Levi Colwill, who suffered an ACL injury before the start of the season.

Chelsea tried and failed in their pursuit of Jeremy Jacquet in January, with the France under-21 international opting to join Liverpool.

Chelsea join race for Karim Coulibaly

It’s believed Chelsea are still in the market for a centre back, and they’ve been linked with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo. 

The Blues need a starting quality centre back with leadership skills to come in and lead the backline, and they’ve arguably failed to replace Thiago Silva.

The last thing fans want to see is another young defender arriving, however it appears that’s exactly what could happen.

Plettenberg has reported Chelsea have entered the race for 18-year-old Coulibaly, who’s viewed as a player with huge potential.

He took to X.com and said:

“Chelsea have entered the race for the 18 y/o talented centre-back Karim Coulibaly, who is seen as a top talent with huge potential.

“#CFC are very impressed with his development. A summer move is 100% planned. Several top clubs are scouting him, including Real Madrid, Man Utd, Newcastle, PSG and Napoli.

“Werder Bremen are still hoping for a fee of €40-50m.”

Chelsea have previously been linked with Coulibaly, and the teenager has scored once in 22 appearances this season.

If as expected a deal goes through for Valentin Barco, the Blues will owe more money to Brighton after the Seagulls included a sell on clause in the deal with Strasbourg.

Barco has agreed to join Chelsea, and has reportedly agreed a six year deal, with it now down to the Blues when to make the transfer official.