Chelsea are lining up a move for Jorge Mere.
According to a report in the Daily Star the Sporting Gijon defender has impressed Chelsea scouts in recent weeks as his side battle against relegation.
Mere is in his second season in the Sporting side and has been strongly linked with Valencia which has prompted Chelsea to step up their interest in bringing the defender to the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has been a regular in the Spanish youth sides and is tipped as a future international captain.
A move to Chelsea could put his international ambitions on hold although it’s understood that the Premier League leaders would be likely to put Mere out on loan to assist his development rather than sit on the bench at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte likes to work with defenders who put the emphasis on defending with Mere getting plenty of opportunities to impress as Sporting battle to avoid the drop.