Chelsea gave Ben Chilwell a boost as Ajax confirms that Arsenal’s transfer target can go

Chelsea’s hopes of landing Ben Chilwell this summer were heightened after Ajax confirmed that Nicolas Tagliafico is free to leave the club this summer.

Tagliafico is Leicester’s main target to replace England’s international Chilwell if he wishes to move to Stamford Bridge.

Brendan Rodgers is a big admirer of the Argentine left back, 27 years old, and is ready to play a game for him in the summer transfer market as he resigns more and more for losing Chilwell.

Chelsea was also looking at Tagliafico but made Chilwell his main target, while Arsenal also threw flashes of admiration in his direction.

And the Gunners could compete with Leicester for his signature after it was confirmed by Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag that he will be allowed to leave this summer.

He said to Het Parool: ‘Per [Andre] Onana e [Donny] Van de Beek, another year at Ajax could definitely be an option.

‘For Tagliafico – because of his age – something different.

“In preparation I will try Lisandro Martinez in that position.”

After capturing Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner, Chilwell is now Frank Lampard’s main summer target.

Lampard does not view current left-back options Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri as scratch cards and they hope to land Chilwell.

If Leicester were to refuse to sell, Tagliafico is seen as Plan B and would be significantly cheaper than the £ 85 million wanted by Leicester for Chilwell.

However, it seems more likely that Tagliafico, who is passionate about moving to the Premier League, will join the Foxes chasing the Champions League to replace Chilwell, unless Arsenal decides to join the hunt for his signature.

Follow Metro Sport through our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more stories like this, check out our sports page.