Bentancur, Sami Khedira, Emre Can and Miralem Pjanic competing for places in the centre.

Manchester United are also keen on Matuidi as they look to revamp their squad ahead of the new season, but Matuidi is said to favour a return to France.

He started his career at Troyes before moving to St Etienne and PSG. Now 32, he is still known for his box-to-box capabilities and endless running.

Chelsea youngster prepping for Bundesliga move

Chelsea rising star and Wales international Ethan Ampadu looks to be joining Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig on loan this season, and the Guardian reports that Chelsea currently negotiating a deal that would see him head to Germany for the duration of the 2019-20 campaign.

Ampadu was left out of the Blues' squad that flew to Japan for theirtwo-game tour and instead the 18-year-old has been having a medical with a view to getting first-team football this season.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard tried to secure Ampadu when he was in charge of Derby County, but it seems now the youngster could be loaned out again from Stamford Bridge.

Tap ins

- Crystal Palace are looking to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka with Arsenal full-back Carl Jenkinson, and they could land him for a tenth of the fee they made from the sale of Wan-Bissaka to Manchester United. Eagles boss Roy Hodgson still needs defensive reinforcements and he could turn to the player he awarded an international debut while England manager. Jenkinson played just eight times in 2018-19 and could cost as little as £5m.

- Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is close