Report: Everton now interested in £45m Trevoh Chalobah, but face competition from PL rivals

Everton are now interested in signing Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah this summer with the 24-year-old set for a Stamford Bridge exit.

The versatile defender, who was recently valued at £45m, has reportedly been told that he is surplus to requirements by Mauricio Pochettino, just a year after he signed a contract extension keeping him at Chelsea until 2028.

Indeed, the 24-year-old has now attracted the attention of Everton alongside fellow Premier League sides Crystal Palace and West Ham United.

However, a number of top European sides are also looking at the Sierra Leone-born defender, with Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and AS Roma among those keen.

That is according to TEAMtalk, who report that Chelsea would prefer a permanent move for Chalobah but would not be entirely against a season-long loan with an option to buy inserted into the contract.

Everton are up against it in race for Trevoh Chalobah, and lack of European football could see them miss out

With many of the clubs linked with the defender competing in European competitions this coming season, Everton would likely be quite far down Chalobah’s list of preferred destinations.

However, the Toffees desperately need a new centre-back this summer and could no doubt offer the Chelsea star first team football, which may not be guaranteed elsewhere.

Sean Dyche’s side now find themselves short at the back following Yerry Mina’s departure as a free agent and Conor Coady’s loan deal expiring.

Indeed, first choice centre-back James Tarkowski limped off in the second half during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sporting CP, though hopefully that was nothing more than a precaution.

21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite looked very assured at the back against the Portuguese giants at the weekend, though his future remains unresolved with Manchester United reportedly interested.

Trevoh Chalobah would be a decent signing for the Blues, especially if Sean Dyche can bring him in on loan, but if the 24-year-old is out of Everton’s reach, another defender must be brought in before the end of the window.