Chelsea could land dream Ben Chilwell replacement as agent issues telling contract update

Chelsea could yet get the opportunity to land a reported target in Theo Hernandez in one of the next two transfer windows. The Blues have been bold in recruiting big names over recent years, spending plenty along the way to snatch some of the biggest talents in world football.

The recruitment policy is likely to change going forward, now that the Blues have assembled a sizable squad with plenty players on long-term contracts. It’s now likely to be a case of cherry picking players in positions where Enzo Maresca needs extra quality, especially with financial rules making additional big spending tough to pull off.

One talent Chelsea have been tipped to pursue in the not too distant future is Theo Hernandez, who is currently at AC Milan. SempreMilan say Chelsea are among a number of clubs who are keeping an eye on the left-back as they prepare to offload Ben Chilwell in the January window, leaving Maresca needing competition for Marc Cucurella.

Hernandez’s contract is only set to run until 2026, and talks with Milan over a new deal have broken down for now, according to the France international’s agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon. "There are no negotiations, we haven't spoken about anything for four months, since May-June,” he told TeleLombardia

"The club contacted me, asked if we wanted to remain and if we were happy at Milan. We said yes, then there was no further contact. The club contacted me, they asked us if the player wanted to stay and if he was happy in Milan. I told them yes, he is very attached to the city, very well settled in Italian football. He is happy here with his family and his son.

"Theo has been at Milan for six years and actions speak louder than words. We have no proposal on the table, we have not received any offer from the club."

Hernandez happy at Milan

One sticking point to a possible deal is that Theo says he is very happy with his current club having been there since 2019 and since welcomed a child with partner Zoe.

He said earlier this year: “I’m happy here, Milan is beautiful and is perfect for comfort. Then me and my ‘family’ need a lot of space. My dogs? They are better than a lot of people.”