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PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 14:  Layvin Kurzawa of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during warmup before the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint Germain and Angers SCO at Parc des Princes on March 14, 2018 in Paris.  (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 14: Layvin Kurzawa of Paris Saint-Germain reacts during warmup before the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint Germain and Angers SCO at Parc des Princes on March 14, 2018 in Paris. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

Chelsea Transfer News: Blues, Tottenham Reportedly Keen on Layvin Kurzawa

James DudkoApr 18, 2018

Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are reportedly all keeping tabs on Paris Saint-Germain's versatile defender Layvin Kurzawa.

Chelsea's interest stems from the feeling Brazil international left-back Alex Sandro will be too difficult to sign from Juventus, per Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror.

This isn't the first time the Blues have shown interest, according to RMC Sport's Mohamed Bouhafsi (h/t Get French Football news):

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Ironically, Chelsea are well-stocked on the left side of defence, but Lewis explained why another option may be on the radar:

"Marcos Alonso, named in the Premier League's Team of the Year this week, is expected to remain at Stamford Bridge despite talk of a move home to Spain, but the Blues have been keen for some time to recruit more quality—despite signing Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri for £25 million in January."

Lewis also noted Kurzawa will be available because Les Parisiens are committed to selling before they buy this summer. Kurzawa's availability is intriguing because of the former AS Monaco man's ability to play in a host of spots at the back.

The 25-year-old can operate in either full-back berth, as well as being able to play as a centre-back if needed. Such flexibility would be a huge asset for a Chelsea side used to playing a five-man defence in recent seasons.

While Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri are wing-backs on the left, right-back Cesar Azpilicueta made a a successful conversion to central defender when manager Antonio Conte went to three at the back.

Chelsea's Spanish defender Marcos Alonso plays the ball during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Chelsea at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on April 14, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK / RESTRICTED TO EDITO

Conte's future beyond this season is in doubt, though, with Joe Strange of MailOnline having reported the Italian is "expected to leave," amid rumours Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri will replace him this summer.

Conte leaving would be bad news for Kurzawa should the latter swap the French capital for Stamford Bridge. Being able to play three positions would give him more chances to redeem himself after his form has nosedived at PSG.

His positional sense, discipline and distribution have all been sketchy at best, as Les Parisiens have relied on different players ahead of the defender who cost around £22 million in 2015.

Kurzawa's decline has been so steep, some believe suitors would be making a mistake signing him. Among them, Jeremy Smith of French Football Weekly had this to say:

His standing may have diminished in recent seasons, but Kurzawa is still young and talented enough to revive his career at a new club. If Chelsea's next manager is as reliant on full-backs for width as Conte has been, he could do worse than a take a chance on Kurzawa.

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