Crystal Palace ready to battle Leicester and Southampton for Colwill

Crystal Palace are prepared to rival Leicester City and Southampton for Chelsea defender Levi Colwill.

The 19-year-old centre back also has interest from Arsenal, Brighton and Everton.

Southampton-born England under-21 international Colwill has spent 10 years with the Blues' academy system.

The teenager enjoyed a breakthrough season last campaign, making 32 appearances in all competitions for Carlos Corberan's Huddersfield side, who narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League, losing 1-0 in the Championship play-off final.

But Chelsea are considering a sale, given the prospective arrivals of Nathan Ake and Kalidou Koulibaly, potentially for around £75million, to replace the departing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Blues boss Thomas Tuchel may even want another centre back if those two sign -with interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe too - further pushing Colwill down the pecking order.

Given the widespread interest in left-sided star Colwill, considered one of the most promising young talents in the country, and the fact his contract runs until 2025, the fee would likely be sizeable.

Even so, fellow academy graduate centre backs Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi have impressed at AC Milan and Crystal Palace, and earned England call-ups after leaving Stamford Bridge in recent years, giving encouragement to potential buyers.

Palace are reportedly among the frontrunners to sign Colwill as Patrick Vieira continues to construct a squad of exciting young players at Selhurst Park.