Chelsea plotting summer transfer bid for Wolves defender

Chelsea have been keeping close tabs on Max Kilman and are exploring a possible move for the Wolves defender in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Kilman, 24, has played an integral role in Wolves’ push for European football this season, starting all 24 of the club’s games in the Premier League.

But Wolves face a battle to keep hold of Kilman given the Englishman has begun to attract strong interest from rivals including Chelsea, the team he has supported since childhood.

TalkSPORT suggest the Champions League holders have placed Kilman on their shortlist of targets as they prepare for the potential departure of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who are both out of contract at the end of the campaign.

It’s claimed scouts working for the Blues have been watching over Kilman’s performances in recent weeks and were in attendance as Wolves beat Leicester at Molineux on Sunday.

However, Wolves are in no rush to part with their prized possession, who still has four-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal in the West Midlands.

Chelsea missed out on a deal for Sevilla central defender Jules Kounde last summer and the France international remains Thomas Tuchel’s primary target in this position.

Kilman has established himself as a mainstay in Wolves’ starting XI and Bruno Lage has clearly been impressed with his development this season.

Lage admitted Kilman was poor in Wolves recent defeat to Arsenal, but sang his praises in the wake of the side’s win at Tottenham three days later.

‘I can say now that against Arsenal it was a disaster,’ the Wolves head coach told reporters.

‘I said it was a very bad performance, but the kid has character and made a strong performance against these three strikers.’