Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are overjoyed with news their club has opened talks to sign Monaco’s prodigious attacker Bernardo Silva as part of plans to challenge for next season’s Champions League title. 

The Times claim a number of clubs are interested in the Portuguese sensation, not least including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United – pretty much as tough as competition can get in the transfer market these days.

But Chelsea appear to be leading the pack at this point and Transfer Tavern reckon the 22-year-old attacker would be the perfect signing for the Blues, not least because he’s one of the most promising young players in European football right now.

Indeed, Chelsea will likely be looking to add to a title-winning squad this summer and considering how badly that went last time in 2015, the west London club need to put some serious money on the table to bring in top talent and Silva, rated at a staggering £70million, fits the bill.

Here are two clear reasons why the potential club-record signing would be perfect for Chelsea.

Ideal for wide forward role

This season has seen Bernardo Silva produce the goods as a midfielder on both flanks, as an out-and-out winger, as a creative No.10 and as a front-line poacher. No doubt, Antonio Conte will be keen to tap into that versatility as much as possible, but it also makes the Portuguese a perfect candidate for one of Chelsea’s wide forward roles either side of Diego Costa, requiring attackers with playmaking qualities when coming inside in addition to the ability to stretch forward moves with pace and width. Eden Hazard has made the left role his own but the right counterpart has been divvied between Pedro and Willian this season – Silva could trump both to become Conte’s undisputed choice.

Defensive contribution

No doubt, Silva is primarily an offensive asset, but he’s often been praised for his defensive contributions too. He’s attempted three tackles per match this term, ranking him eighth throughout all winger-forward types in Ligue 1, and certainly isn’t afraid to put his foot in despite measuring in at just 5 foot 8 inches. That modest stature might put off some Chelsea fans but Silva’s industriousness undoubtedly fits Antonio Conte’s philosophy at Stamford Bridge, which centres around intensity, organisation and the ability to hit quickly when given the chance. The 22-year-old suits that mantra perfectly and his efforts off the ball should quickly win over any Blues doubters.