Chelsea are poised to swoop in with an offer and pip Manchester City in the race to secure Kyle Walker’s services.

According to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, Chelsea have joined fellow Premier League side Manchester City in the race to sign English right-back Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.

The English defender, who has been a mainstay in the Spurs team, has suddenly fallen out of favour with manager Mauricio Pochettino. There undoubtedly is a certain amount of turmoil between the two, and Walker could be on his way out at the end of the season.

Despite Walker being fit, Pochettino has been rotating Kierian Trippier with Walker at the right side of the Tottenham defence of late. The Argentine manager is likely to look for a replacement for Trippier, but he is ahead of Walker in the pecking order.

With Walker likely to depart, there has been no shortage of suitors for him. Manchester City have been one of the front runners to sign the English right-back as manager Pep Guardiola is looking to bring in quality defenders in the summer.

SWANSEA, WALES - APRIL 05: Spurs full back Kyle Walker in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on April 5, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – APRIL 05: Spurs full back Kyle Walker in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Tottenham Hotspur at Liberty Stadium on April 5, 2017 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo Courtesy: Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The former Barcelona and Bayern boss has played the likes of Jesus Navas and Fernandino as makeshift full-backs on a number of occasions as he has been unhappy with what his current crop of defenders have offered him.

Pablo Zabaleta, who has been at the Etihad Stadium since Sheikh Mansour assumed ownership of the club, is set to leave at the end of the season, potentially paving the way for Walker to come in his stead. However, Chelsea have now joined the race for the player’s services.

Blues boss Antonio Conte has converted Victor Moses as a wing-back this season, and the Nigerian has done an exceptional job – contributing in both ends of the pitch. There hasn’t been a suitable replacement for the player in his absence, though, which is why Chelsea are now looking at Walker.

The Englishman will certainly be an upgrade on Moses on the defensive end, but the Nigerian still may offer slightly more offensively. Should Walker walk through the door, it will be a welcome selection dilemma for Conte.

The Chelsea manager will be needing a deeper squad and quality in that depth as his side will be competing on four fronts next season, and signing Walker could help him considerably.

It remains to be seen as to which of two heavyweight Premier League clubs acts sooner to secure the services of one England’s better defenders, as he looks increasingly likely to depart from Tottenham in the summer.

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