Chelsea defender transfer stance opens door for Leicester City switch

Leicester City target Levi Colwill is open to leaving Chelsea if manager Thomas Tuchel does not include him in his first-team plans at Stamford Bridge.

Centre-back Colwill has been on City’s radar since January when he was midway through the Huddersfield loan spell that has helped his reputation soar. The 19-year-old was a key player in the Terriers’ run to the play-off final, albeit he did score the own goal at Wembley that sent Nottingham Forest into the Premier League.

He will now return to Chelsea, but with the club looking to recruit two senior centre-backs in the transfer market following the exits of Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona, there are doubts over where Colwill stands. Now, the Guardian report that the teenager will seek a new club if his first-team opportunities look bleak at Stamford Bridge.

In the scenario, City may pounce, with Southampton another potential frontrunner in offering Colwill a new home. It is understood that bringing in a young, left-sided centre-back in the mould of Wesley Fofana is one of City’s transfer priorities this summer.

Speaking last month, Colwill said on his future: “For me, playing for Chelsea will always be the main aim right now because it’s my club. But if that doesn’t happen, well then I have to find other ways to progress and become the player I want to be.”

Meanwhile, Tuchel said he was keen to assess the loanees when they return for pre-season training. Work begins at Chelsea this Saturday, although it is not known if Colwill will be present, as he may be afforded an extended holiday following his commitments with England Under-21s in early June.

“The loanees have to come back anyway, we are very selfish in that,” Tuchel said in