Crystal Palace are reportedly 'confident' of signing Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, according to The Athletic. 

The lowdown: Colwill's career so far

A product of the Blues' academy, the 19-year-old spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Championship outfit Huddersfield Town and played an integral role in the Yorkshire club's season which saw them just miss out on promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

The England youth international was ultimately the fall guy in the Wembley showpiece, as his own goal meant Nottingham Forest returned to the top flight instead, marring what was otherwise a very successful developmental spell in the second tier.

Having now returned to London, Colwill has flown out to the USA as part of Thomas Tuchel's first-team squad, although there remains a strong possibility that the young centre-back will leave Stamford Bridge this summer as Chelsea target further reinforcements in that department...

The latest: Palace 'confident' of signing Colwill

As per Simon Johnson for The Athletic, Crystal Palace are believed to be 'confident' of signing the England under-21 starlet.

It's claimed that top-flight domestic rivals Southampton, Fulham, Leicester City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton are also in the mix to land Colwill.

The report added that the respective suitors are 'prepared to spend millions' to sign the teenager, who was described as a 'Rolls Royce' defender with similarities to Rio Ferdinand by the Manchester United legend's brother Anton.

The verdict: Worth the investment

Having already reaped the rewards of signing another Chelsea academy graduate in the shape of Marc Guehi, reuniting Colwill with his former youth team-mate could prove to be another sensational piece of business from the Eagles.

The Southampton-born gem - who was on a reported £5,000 per week in 2021/22 (Salary Sport) - earned an impressive 7.10 Sofascore rating last season whilst winning 5.7 duels and making 4.1 clearances and 1.3 interceptions per game. He also helped Huddersfield to keep 11 clean sheets in the process, highlighting an impressive defensive acumen despite his tender years.

Valued at £4.5m and under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), signing Colwill may prove to be an expensive deal for the Selhurst Park hierarchy.

However, with just four senior recognised central defenders currently at Patrick Vieira's disposal, including 33-year-old James Tomkins, this would undoubtedly be a worthwhile capture, not least given the teenager's vast potential.