According to reports from The Express this morning, Chelsea are plotting a cut-price deal for Marseille midfielder Giannelli Imbula this summer.
The 22 year-old has been on the Stamford Bridge radar for some time, with reports of their interest first circling in October 2013. Blues scout Guy Hilton revealed the club were monitoring the former France U21’s progress, as reported by International Business Times.
Arsenal and Manchester United have since been mooted as potential suitors of the former Guingamp prodigy, as revealed by The Daily Star ahead of the January 2015 transfer window.
But according to The Express, Chelsea are now leading the pack once again and hope to sign Imbula, who has averaged 2.5 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2.9 successful dribbles per match during his 36 Ligue 1 outings this term, for just £8.6million ahead of next season.
Marseille are keen to raise funds to improve their squad and view selling the former Ligue 2 Player of the Year as their most lucrative option.
With such miserly fees being quoted, however, Arsenal and Man United will likely revive their interest in the defensive midfielder too.