According to The Sun, Chelsea are close to securing a deal to land Brighton defender Lewis Dunk for £40 million.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is hoping to strengthen Chelsea’s leaky defence this summer and has identified the 28 year old Brighton centre-back as the answer.

The Blues have been heavily linked with a move for Declan Rice, who Frank Lampard wants to turn into a defender but has now turned attention to Dunk following West Ham’s reluctance to sell Rice.

Dunk is reportedly a boyhood Chelsea fan and is keen on completing the move to Chelsea.

Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in Dunk, who has spent ten years in the Brighton first team, but it is thought his loyalties to Chelsea may give the Blues the edge.