Chelsea will speak to Brighton today to try and reach a full agreement for defender Marc Cucurella, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 24-year-old is also a target for Manchester City, but with the Premier League champions seemingly unwilling to meet Brighton's asking price, it has given their rivals an opportunity to swoop in and make a move for him.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update
What is the latest news involving Cucurella?
The MailOnline reported earlier today that Chelsea are exploring a deal for Cucurella as Thomas Tuchel looks to add to his defensive options.
City are interested in signing the Spaniard, too, but the same outlet has stated that they have so far failed to meet Brighton's £50m valuation of the player resulting in talks between the two clubs collapsing.
Chelsea currently have Ben Chilwell, Marcos Alonso and Emerson for the left wing-back position; however, Chilwell has just come back from a serious injury, while Alonso is being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.
The above possibly explains why Tuchel is targeting a new player for that area of the pitch.
What has Romano said about Cucurella to Chelsea?
Romano says Chelsea sensed an opportunity after City's talks with Brighton for Cucurella broke down at the weekend and are now trying to wrap up a deal for the former Getafe man.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the Italian journalist said: "The player handed in a transfer request because he wants to leave Brighton to try something different this summer and so what happened was Chelsea, during the weekend, after seeing the situation become complicated between City and Brighton, decided to enter into it, to speak on the player side, to speak on the Brighton side.
"There will be a direct call today, on Monday, to understand if they can reach a full agreement with Brighton."
Do Chelsea need Cucurella?
If Alonso goes and Emerson also follows him out of the exit door, Chelsea definitely need to sign a new left wing-back.
Whether that means they should go fork out £50m on Cucurella when they already have Chilwell, though, is up for debate.
Nevertheless, the Spain international is a very good full-back, while he can also play in central defence, something which may appeal to Tuchel given the dilemma he currently has there.
"He's grown up at Barcelona so he knows how to play football and now he's desperate to have an impact in the Premier League and we are so happy with him," Brighton manager Graham Potter said when speaking about Cucurella at the end of last season.
Ultimately, with Alonso possibly set to depart, Chelsea could find themselves in need of a new left wing-back, so you can see Tuchel's thinking behind moving for Cucurella.