Chelsea have moved closer to sealing one of their key summer targets, after a reported breakthrough in talks for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Kai Havertz.
The 21-year-old midfielder has attracted interest from a host of top clubs this summer thanks to his performances in the Bundesliga last season, scoring 12 goals and delivering six assists in 30 league appearances.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have also been linked with Havertz, but Chelsea made the first concrete move and have been in negotiations for the Germany international in recent months.
Despite the Bundesliga club refusing to budge from their valuation of the midfielder, the Blues have seemingly reached an agreement, with outlet Sport Bild reporting that a fee of €80million (£72million) fee will be paid for Havertz up front, plus a further €20million (£18m) in add-ons.
Elsewhere, Chelsea are also thought to be keen on signing a new central defender this summer, with Blues head coach Frank Lampard aware of the need to strengthen at the back after high profile defeats in recent months.
The Blues have been linked with several names, including West Ham's Declan Rice, Brighton's Lewis Dunk and Atletico Madrid's Jose Gimenez.
But Chelsea are reportedly set to sign Thiago Silva, with the Blues understood to be closing in on a deal after the Brazilian was offered to the club after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired.
Speaking after PSG's Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich on Sunday, Silva insisted that he does not yet know what his future holds, despite reports claiming that he is on the verge of signing for Chelsea.
"I don’t know, I want to still play for another three or four years," he told L'Equipe.
"I want to prepare myself to play the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. We will see how my body responds."
Chelsea are also understood to be closing in on a move for Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell, with Lampard targeting left-back as a priority position to strengthen this summer.
The England international has been admired by the Blues boss for some time and is seen as a key part of his future plans.
Chilwell will cost the Blues in the region of £50million, and there is a confidence within Stamford Bridge that a deal will soon be fully agreed between the clubs.
With Chelsea moving towards the triple signing, Lampard is set to have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to selecting his side for the Blues' opening day clash at Brighton.
The west Londoners begin their 2020/21 Premier League season at the Amex Stadium, before hosting champions Liverpool a week later.
New signings Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech will be strong contenders to make their top flight debuts in England, whilst Chilwell, Havertz and Thiago will also surely be among Lampard's best XI.
The Blues are still chasing a new goalkeeper, with doubts over Kepa Arrizabalaga's future, but Willy Caballero could again start if there is no new number one by the start of the season.
There will be increased competition for midfield places with Havertz's arrival, and Mateo Kovacic could be the one to miss out if Lampard opts for two attacking players in his midfield three.
Possible Chelsea XI to face Brighton on the opening day: Caballero, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Silva, Chilwell, Kante, Mount, Havertz, Pulisic, Werner, Ziyech.
