Chelsea line up January transfer for £20m Athletic Bilbao defender Aitor Paredes with Blues’ star centre-back set to go

CHELSEA are looking to bring Athletic Bilbao defender Aitor Paredes in as they look to strengthen their backline this January.

Blues defenders have struggled for both form and fitness this year with both Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah missing the entirety of the season so far with injury.

EPAParedes scored in his last game for Athletic Club[/caption]

Benoit Badiashile is also out currently with muscle fatigue with the Blues struggling for clean sheets.

Chelsea have already seen a deal for Benfica’s 20-year-old centre-back Antonio Silva fail but have wasted no time in turning their attentions to Paredes instead.

SunSport understand that Chelsea have sent a scout to watch Paredes, 23, seven times this season, including in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Sevilla, where he scored the second goal of the game.

Paredes is a product of Athletic Club’s academy and has become a stalwart at the heart of the side’s defence.

The Basque club are currently fourth in LaLiga and on course for a spot in the Champions League next season.

Chelsea value Paredes’ ability to pass the ball out from the back alongside his strong athletic profile.

The player is known for both his strength and recovery pace and looks set to earn a call-up to the Spanish national team for the upcoming Euros.

SunSport understands Chelsea have asked Athletic Club’s board to set a price but they have so far been reluctant to do so.

The SunA look at Paredes’ stats this season[/caption]

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The defender is contracted at the club until 2025 and could be available for around £20million.

Paredes has already been approached by Real Madrid this month, with Inter Milan also showing an interest.

Chelsea could be forced to move quickly for Paredes with two of their defenders being linked with a move away from the Bridge.

Thiago Silva, 39, has been linked with a free transfer back to his old club Fluminense, where he started his career.

And Trevoh Chalobah could reunite with old manager Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich if they opt not to sign Tottenham’s Eric Dier.