Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Enter Layvin Kurzawa Race Amid City, PSG Rumours

Chelsea are set to face off against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain to secure the services of Monaco left-back Layvin Kurzawa.  

That's according to French outlet RMC (h/t Le 10 Sport, via Metro), with Metro adding: "With news emerging today that Cesar Azpilicueta could move to right-back after a poor run of form from Branislav Ivanovic, it may be that Jose Mourinho wants Kurzawa to fight with new signing [Baba] Rahman for the left-back slot."

Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's own Ligue 1 expert Jonathan Johnson relays reports from L'Equipe and Le Parisien that PSG are already in the process of negotiating with Monaco:

The 22-year-old assisted on five goals in all competitions last season, and he has already scored three himself in four appearances for Monaco this year.

As WhoScored.com illustrates, the youngster is excellent at reading the game:

According to Squawka, the Frenchman won 41 tackles and 50 headed duels last season, as well completing 46 take-ons and creating 37 goalscoring opportunities for his side, demonstrating his competence at the back and effectiveness going forward.

Sports journalists Rafael Hernandez and Jonas Giaever shared this exchange regarding the defender on Twitter:

Per Simon Jones of the MailOnline, Kurzawa maintained in January he would decide his future in the summer in the wake of interest from City and PSG, saying: "Manchester? Yes, I was there to see a game this season [City vs. Bayern Munich]. But there was not a meeting with anyone. PSG? It is true that PSG is a great club. But today I am at AS Monaco."

Despite RMC's report, a move to Chelsea would still seem somewhat unlikely given Rahman's acquisition.

While Ivanovic has struggled against the likes of Jefferson Montero and Raheem Sterling this season, his "poor run of form" comprises two games, the first of which was against a rampant Swansea City side with Chelsea down to 10 men, and the other away at title rivals City.

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

To bring another full-back to Stamford Bridge would be somewhat reactionary; however, for City and PSG, a move would make more sense.

The Sky Blues are well stocked at left-back with Aleksandar Kolarov and Gael Clichy, but the pair are 29 and 30, respectively.

Kurzawa would be an excellent long-term addition at the Etihad and would stand an excellent chance of taking over first-team duties within a season.

As for PSG, with Lucas Digne seemingly heading toward the exit door in Paris, a move for the Monaco man would see them replace one promising young left-back with another.

One thing is certain: Whoever lands the youngster will have acquired a promising talent with outstanding potential and an exciting future ahead of him.