CHELSEA face competition from Barcelona for Southampton right-back Cedric Soares, according to reports.
Chelsea have been linked with a host of wing-backs this summer, including the likes of Juventus’ Alex Sandro, Porto’s Alex Telles and Paris Saint-Germain’s Serge Aurier.
Blues manager Antonio Conte is keen to provide cover for Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses on the left and right side of defence, respectively.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport, Southampton right-back Cedric is high up on Conte’s shortlist.
But the report adds that La Liga giants Barcelona, who have the £200million Neymar money to spend, are also interested in Cedric.
The Portugal international, who helped his nation to last year’s European Championship, is reportedly available for £13.6m this summer.
The 25-year-old arrived at St Mary’s in the summer of 2015 for £4.7m and has gone on to make 62 appearances for the Saints.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher reckons Conte needs two new signings this summer, namely wing-backs.
“They’ve got two games between now and the transfer window shutting,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
“Antonio Conte needs to get two players in – they need strengthening, especially in the wing-back positions.
“They need to stop this tidal wave of negativity. The way Conte is speaking to the press you know something isn’t right. That’s got to stop.”
Source:www.express.co.uk