Everton transfer target Levi Colwill is looking 'increasingly likely' to leave Chelsea, according to The Athletic's Simon Johnson.
The lowdown
The 19-year-old spent the 2021/22 season on loan in the Championship with Huddersfield Town, helping them to reach the play-off final.
He has now returned to the Stamford Bridge fold, but even after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, there may not be a first-team vacancy for him in Thomas Tuchel's side.
That's because Chelsea have moved to add Kalidou Koulibaly to their ranks and want two more centre-backs in the form of Jules Kounde and Presnel Kimpembe.
The latest
Johnson wrote on Twitter: "Injury ruled Levi Colwill out of #CFC's first pre-season game but a bigger concern right now is his future. The club's ambitions in the transfer market means there is a danger he will never play for the senior side."
In the corresponding article for The Athletic, Johnson wrote that if the Blues were to sign another defender, then the expectation is that 'he will look to leave', foregoing potential Champions League football. In turn, 'there is a danger he will never play for the senior side', with a permanent move potentially in the offing.
Chelsea don't see the merits of sanctioning another loan, when suitors are already willing to spend big money on Colwill, and they would simply be left with a similar dilemma in 12 months' time.
Everton are one of the teams 'in the hunt', along with Crystal Palace, Fulham, Southampton, Leicester City and Brighton. Right now, the Eagles are said to be 'confident' of winning the transfer race, but no agreement has been reached as of yet.
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The verdict
Palace appear to have the advantage right now, but Everton could throw a spanner in the works if they were to outbid the Eagles.
Lampard has already strengthened his defensive ranks by signing James Tarkowski following his departure from Burnley, so signing Colwill could offer the 44-year-old a whole new partnership at centre-back.
There's a great deal of excitement around the 19-year-old, who would potentially be an excellent long-term addition.
Johnson wrote that Colwill could be in the frame for an England call-up 'soon enough' if he features regularly for a Premier League side, and his former Terriers boss Carlos Corberan has backed the teenager to become one of his country's 'most important' centre-backs.
Fittingly, he has been billed by some as the 'new John Terry' - a glowing comparison considering the Stamford Bridge legend's accomplishments during his playing career.