Chelsea are reportedly considering Layvin Kurzawa, who is also a target for Arsenal, as an alternative to priority left-back target Ben Chilwell.
According to a report by Daily Express, Layvin Kurzawa has emerged on the radar of Chelsea, who are eyeing him as an alternative to Ben Chilwell. The 27-year-old French defender is also the subject of interest from Arsenal over a move in the summer transfer window.
Kurzawa joined PSG from AS Monaco in the summer of 2015 and has since gone in and out of the side for much his stint in the French capital. With Juan Bernat now the first-choice left at Parc des Princes, the 27-year-old managed to start just 16 times in all competitions in 2019-20.
All through the season, the situation around him has been increasingly uncertain with his current contract set to run out this summer. As a result, Kurzawa has been linked with a number of clubs over a possible free transfer, pretty much since the turn of the year, with Arsenal at the head of the chasing pack. The Gunners, though, now seem to have competition from Chelsea.
The Blues are in the market for a left-back and for good reason, with neither Emerson Palmieri nor Marcos Alonso managing to impress Frank Lampard enough to become regulars in his side. Both the full-backs are now linked with a summer exit, with Chelsea expected to offload at least one of them and bring in a top class replacement.
To that end, Ben Chilwell is seen as their priority, but a hefty price tag is proving to be the biggest obstacle for Chelsea. As a result, Kurzawa now seems to be a fallback option for the west London club, who have now joined Arsenal in his pursuit.
The interest from the Gunners in Kurzawa, though, continues to be surprising. Sure, recent reports have suggested that Arsenal are open to the idea of selling Kieran Tierney following a difficult first season at the Emirates, but a transfer appears to be unlikely. Meanwhile, there are hardly any concrete links when it comes to a potential summer exit for Sead Kolasinac.
If Arsenal do have plans of moving one of Tierney and Kolasinac out of the Emirates, then it is a prudent move to target Kurzawa. Otherwise, the 27-year-old’s arrival unnecessarily clog up Mikel Arteta’s left-back options. As for Chelsea, the Frenchman is hardly an upgrade on Emerson or Alonso and they should focus on signing Chilwell, who reportedly wants to join the Blues.
Nevertheless, it looks like a cross-London battle for Kurzawa could be brewing, with the fact that he will cost nothing making him an appealing prospect. What now remains to be seen is if either of Chelsea and Arsenal manage to sign the player this summer.
