Chelsea Transfer News: Jerome Boateng Enquiry Reported, Latest Blues Rumours

Chelsea have reportedly made an enquiry into Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng. 

Per Gianluca Di Marzio, manager Antonio Conte is an admirer of the defender, and the west London club have asked for information on him.

The Blues boss is said to be interested in signing Boateng this summer. He's among the best centre-backs in European football, so he would make for an incredible purchase if Chelsea were able to prise him away from Bayern.

Injuries restricted the Germany international to just 830 Bundesliga minutes last term, but according to Squawka, he nevertheless managed to win nine tackles and 16 headed duels, as well as make 14 interceptions and 26 clearances.

He is a powerful athlete and uses his physicality well to help him fend off opponents, but he's also an intelligent player and technically adept.

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Per Squawka, he maintained a pass-completion rate of 87 per cent and managed to create six chances for his team-mates—a better creation rate per 90 minutes than the Blues' current options Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill.

While creativity isn't what he would be brought in for, it just serves to show what he can do from the back.

The 28-year-old is also a strong leader on the pitch, a quality Chelsea could use more of following John Terry's departure.

However, DW Sports' Stefan Bienkowski believes the rumour is a non-starter because Bayern won't contemplate selling him:

Indeed, while Javi Martinez and Mats Hummels did a fine job in Boateng's stead last season, he remains one of their top defenders.

Chelsea have the financial muscle to lure Boateng to the Premier League, and he would have the chance to compete for trophies at Stamford Bridge, but prising him away from a club of Bayern's size will be difficult, particularly as he'll have an even greater chance of winning silverware by staying put.

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Meanwhile, according to the Mirror, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Kurt Zouma on loan despite the Frenchman's desire to stay at Chelsea.

The Eagles can provide him with regular minutes and will reportedly jump at the chance to bring him in if "given any encouragement that he would be available," though the Blues are said to have turned down interest in him already.

Zouma only returned to the first team midway through the season after recovering from a serious knee injury, and his reintroduction was a slow process, per Goal's Nizaar Kinsella:

The pacey 22-year-old's return to fitness does not appear to be enough to prevent Chelsea from targeting other centre-backs this summer, but he's an exciting prospect.

He still has some way to go before he can be a key player for the Blues, but he deserves the chance to show off his talents next season and continue to work his way into the team.