Chelsea hijack Manchester Uniteds move for Sevilla star Clement Lenglet

Chelsea have opened talks with Sevilla star Clement Lenglet over a move to Stamford Bridge.

Manchester United made a concrete approach for the defender last week and their interest in the defender has alerted Chelsea, who have been keeping tabs on Frenchman for the last six months.

Lenglet caught Jose Mourinhos attention when Sevilla knocked United out of the Champions League in February and Sevill value him at around £31m.

However, Chelsea believe they offer Lenglet a greater opportunity of first-team football and Marina Granovskaia held talks with the defenders agent this week, according to France Football.

Chelsea are still pursuing targets this summer despite the ongoing doubt surrounding Antonio Contes future at the club.

United signed Portuguese full-back Diogo Dalot from Porto earlier this week but Mourinho is keen on adding a centre-back to his squad.

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Tottenham star Toby Alderweireld is Mourinhos priority but the Belgian is valued at around £70m by Spurs – some £20m more than United are willing to pay.

Mourinho claimed after Sevillas win at Old Trafford that many of the La Liga sides players would walk into his United side.

Lenglet was signed by Sevilla for €5 million in January 2017 and the Frenchman has also attracted interest from Barcelona this summer.

The centre-back has a €35m (£30.7m) release clause in his deal with Sevilla and recent reports in Spain have claimed that Barcelona are close to completing a deal.

MORE: Nabil Fekir passes Liverpool medical in Paris after Reds seek second opinion on knee issue

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