Reports from Spain have claimed that Chelsea are now leading fellow elite European sides in the race to sign one seriously expensive player

According to El Nacional Catalan, the Blues are now the top contenders to bring in Antonio Silva from Benfica this month.

Chelsea have been linked with the signing of a centre-back since the transfer window began, with them perhaps already beginning to plan for future seasons in that role.

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There are currently no reports that they are going to extend the contract of Thiago Silva, with him set to turn 40 early into next season.

This is despite him proving to be an important member of the first team even up to now. He is still one of the first names on the teamsheet most weeks.

However, it still looks most likely that he is going to return to Brazil, and therefore the club will be without a real experienced option at the back.

As well as Silva, the Blues look set to lose both Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr either this month or at the end of the season.

Neither player has featured remotely in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, and therefore it is clear to see that their futures may lie elsewhere.

In order to try and address this, they have reportedly been pursuing a deal for Silva, who the report states has an £86m release clause.

This has been speculated to have seen Real Madrid exit the race, and therefore leaves Chelsea as the favourites to pull off a deal.

The Blues do have a plethora of young centre-backs already at their disposal, with some of them still looking to make returns from injury.

Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile are tipped for big things in the game already, while there is still lots of excitement over the return to fitness of Wesley Fofana in the next few months.