Chelsea may have received a big boost in their bid to land David Alaba this summer.
The Blues have been strongly linked with a move for the Bayern Munich defender who is out of contract this summer after around 12 years.
Alaba was offered a new deal by Bayern, but he rejected their advances, hoping for a new challenge having spent almost all of his career with the Bundesliga giants.
Having operated at the highest level for so long, winning a host of titles, including two Champions League titles, Alaba is not short of suitors ahead of this summer.
Alaba, who is now free to agree a deal ahead of the summer, is reportedly being eyed up by Chelsea, as well as Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid with others also linked over recent months.
Chelsea were said to be one of the clubs Alaba's representatives approached first with the Austrian perhaps buoyed by how well Thiago Silva has done since his free move from PSG last summer.
Alaba will also be encouraged by the potential the Blues have given their strong investment last summer and the likelihood they will continue spending this summer.
Chelsea are also armed with Thomas Tuchel, who Alaba might just see as a more comfortable option given the lack of language barrier.
And beyond all that, it seems the defender wants to play in the Premier League. BILD's paper version, as cited by Inside Futbol, claims Alaba could reject and Real Madrid offer in order to join the club.
That could leave him with the likes of Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs to choose from and the Blues will be hoping the Tuchel card works in their favour as they look to add an experienced, top-level defender to their ranks ahead of next term having been unsure over Silva's best partner so far this season.
