With the youngster appearing as likely to leave St. Andrews in the summer, Nathaniel Clyne is earning interest from numerous Premier League outfits and Chelsea are the latest club to be linked with the defender.
Clyne’s contract with Crystal Palace is set to expire at the end of the season and he is unlikely to pen an extension with the South London outfit, making him a valuable acquisition for any side that manages to gain his signature.
Jose Bosingwa is being associated with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer and although Branislav Ivanovic can do a decent job at right-back, cover would be needed in the position should the Portuguese defender head for the exit.
Clyne has become an integral member of the Crystal Palace side over the past two seasons and has since made his break into the England Under-21 team.
The 20 year-old has made 24 starts for Dougie Freedman’s side this campaign and his manager appears to have given into the fact that his starlet will leave come season’s end, handing the responsibility of right-back to others at times.
Chelsea will face stern competition from Manchester United, Manchester City and Newcastle United in the race to sign this particular asset and with the close-to-free nature of the deal, will find opposition tough.
The formalities of agents fees, compensation and contract clauses will be where the difficulty lies in this move but a lot could ride on Clyne’s personal preference and the full-back may opt to remain in London and Chelsea as a result.