Chelsea are hopeful of tying down defender Fikayo Tomori on a new long-term contract.
The 21-year-old is currently nursing a small hip problem but has otherwise enjoyed a fine breakthrough season, making 16 appearances in all competitions and earning his first senior England cap as a substitute against Kosovo last month.
The Blues have been talking to Tomori’s representatives since autumn and it is believed all parties are confident of agreeing a five-year contract in the coming weeks.
The centre-back currently has less than two years left on his existing deal and the fresh terms are recognition for Tomori seizing his opportunity under head coach Frank Lampard alongside youngsters Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham.
The trio were all on loan last season and Tomori was close to leaving again this term but the departure of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger’s injury problems helped to give him the opportunity to feature regularly.
