Chelsea Transfer News: Nicolas Nkoulou Wanted Amid Papy Djilobodji Exit Rumours

Chelsea will look to sign Marseille centre-back Nicolas Nkoulou this January as a replacement for Besiktas-bound Papy Djilobodji, who has reportedly agreed to a move to the Turkish top flight.  

Serie A outfit Lazio are hoping to win the race for Marseille defender Nkoulou, according to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, but Liverpool and Chelsea are also challenging for his signature (h/t Adam Skinner of the Daily Express).

David Vincent/Associated Press

Nkoulou is out of contract at the Stade Velodrome at the end of this season, so there's a chance Marseille may be willing to let their man leave for a reduced fee if they're able to bring in a winter replacement.

Central defence has been an area of concern for the Blues this season. Stalwart John Terry recently responded to criticism aimed in his direction by BT Sport pundit Robbie Savage, who has since returned the compliment on his Fletch and Sav show:

"

.@RobbieSavage8 responds to recent criticism from John Terry and @rioferdy5 adds to the debate. #FletchAndSav https://t.co/LhHQ8eIZHk

— Fletch And Sav (@FletchAndSav) November 7, 2015"

Terry's contract at Stamford Bridge is poised to expire at the end of this season, and as he approaches his 35th birthday this December, there's a strong chance the veteran won't earn another one-year extension.

Nkoulou has made 11 Ligue 1 appearances this season for a Marseille team that's managed to keep just two two clean sheets in the league this term.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press/Associated Press

The 25-year-old also has 63 caps for Cameroon and would join the likes of Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill in challenging for first choice at centre-back, provided this does turn out to be Terry's last campaign with the club.

Summer arrival Djilobodji could equally make room for Nkoulou's arrival, however, after Metro's George Bellshaw cited Turkish reports, as former Besiktas sporting director Sinan Engin stated a deal was already agreed.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

Djilobodji moved to Stamford Bridge from Ligue 1 side Nantes on transfer deadline day, but he has played just one minute for Chelsea this season and looks likely to be deemed surplus to requirements.

The Senegal international struck fans as a strange, late investment, along with Reading's Michael Hector, and Mourinho admitted in September the move was made on the recommendation of a peer, per the Daily Star's Chisanga Malata:

"

It was not my choice [to sign him]. It was the choice of somebody I trust completely. Which is the same [as me choosing to sign him]. I don’t know every player. My job doesn’t allow me to travel and it doesn’t allow me to spend hours and hours watching players. And of some moments of the market and certain circumstances are moments when you have to trust the people who you work with.

In that case I trust because the same person who said Djilobodji could be a good player for us was the same person who said [Kurt] Zouma could be a fantastic player for us. So obviously I trust him. So Djilobodji is one of four central defenders and hopefully he’ll be useful for us.

"

The Blues may have deemed Djilobodji's covering presence necessary at the time, but it now seems fair to dub his signing a flop after failing to appear outside of the League Cup in his first three months with the club.

That being said, the defender's move away from west London would give Mourinho his chance to go about remodelling a defence that's already conceded 23 goals this season, the joint-third-highest tally in the Premier League.