According to rumours, Chelsea are interested in signing Brighton defender Marc Cucurella this summer, but have been told they would have to pay a large cost for the 23-year-old.
Thomas Tuchel is eager to act aggressively and fast in the transfer market once the west London club's penalties are lifted, and he wants to dramatically improve his back-line.
When their contracts expire, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen will both leave the club on free transfers, joining Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, but they may not be the only defenders to leave Stamford Bridge.
Barca is also interested in Cesar Azpilicueta, who would like to return to Spain after a decade at Chelsea, while Marcos Alonso might leave the club this summer, with the Catalan giants also intrigued.
Tuchel's first priority will be to sign two new centre-backs – Sevilla's Jules Kounde and RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol are the club's top targets – but the left-back position is also in need of improvement.
If Alonso goes, only Ben Chilwell will be able to fill the void, but the England international will be recovering from a significant knee ligament injury, and Chelsea will want to be cautious with him.
Cucurella has emerged as the man Chelsea would most like to sign to replace Alonso, despite Brighton reportedly quoting a £45 million price tag, according to The Sun.
The former Barcelona academy star just went to Brighton last summer for £15 million from Getafe, but he has made an immediate impact in his debut season in the Premier League.
Cucurella can play on the left side of a back three, providing cover and competition for Chilwell in the left wing-back position. He has done so numerous times for the Seagulls this season, notably in the second half.
Chelsea are not the only team interested in signing Cucurella, as Manchester City and Tottenham are also great admirers of the Spaniard.
City are said to have stolen a march on their rivals, with Chelsea still unable to make a move, and the left-back has even hinted it would be extremely tough to turn down a transfer to the Etihad.
Cucurella told Spanish television show Jijantes FC: 'The idea [at Brighton] was to improve so that the larger teams would take attention.' However, if the chance presents itself, you must seize it. There are some teams to whom you simply cannot say no.
'No, There are, of course, rumors. It's a good thing if people are talking about you like this. We're calm; right now, the most essential thing is to relax.'