Leicester City could profit from Chelsea transfer domino as Crystal Palace deal gives hope

Leicester City could keep a close eye on Chelsea’s centre-back hunt amid their reported interest in teenage sensation Levi Colwill.

City are on the lookout for a central defender this summer, ideally a left-sided one to play next to Wesley Fofana, and Colwill ticks all the right boxes. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a hugely impressive season on loan at Huddersfield that could finish with promotion to the Premier League this weekend as the Terriers take on Nottingham Forest in the play-off final.

But where Colwill ends up next season remains to be seen. Chelsea are losing at least two of their centre-backs on free transfers, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both leaving, giving Colwill a chance to fill the gap.

However, it is reported that Chelsea are trying to sign at least two new defenders to replace the departing duo, with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde at the top of their list. That may then open the door for Colwill to leave.

Chelsea have shown they are willing to let promising young players go for the right price. They sold Marc Guehi to Crystal Palace for £18m last summer, following the centre-back’s impressive loan season at Swansea, and he has since earned England recognition.

City may be hoping for a similar situation with Colwill, although they are not the only club linked with the teenager. Goal report that Arsenal, Palace, Southampton, and Brighton all have him on their radar, albeit City have been interested for some time, and had a January loan offer knocked back as they sought to bolster their injury-ravaged defence.

As part of City’s summer refresh, a new centre-back is among the top three priorities for the club and manager Brendan Rodgers as they look to improve a defence that was the leakiest