Chelsea target Lille defender Leny Yoro as Thiago Silva replacement in new transfer plan

Chelsea are interested in a summer move for talented young Lille centre-back Leny Yoro as they weigh up defensive options to replace Thiago Silva.

Yoro has enjoyed a brilliant season in France and the 18-year-old is also attracting interest from other big European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Chelsea want to sign new a centre-back this summer when Silva, who turns 40 in September, is out of contract and could leave on a free transfer.

Mauricio Pochettino has dropped Silva to the Chelsea bench for their last two Premier League matches, despite an injury crisis leaving him with limited defensive options.

Yoro is considered an ideal addition to the Chelsea project. The France Under-21 international has already made 49 senior appearances for Lille.

PSG represent serious competition though and are keen to ensure that the teen sensation remains in Ligue 1.

Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali want to recruit two or three of the world's best players under the age 23 for every position.

Alternative centre-back options include Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, who have both been sounded out as Chelsea plot another ambitious summer of transfer activity.

Chelsea also want a striker and a left-back, as they insist they have no concerns about breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

The club made a pre-tax loss of £90.1million last year, following a loss of £121.4m in the previous year. Premier League rules permit clubs to make a loss of £105m over a three-year period.

Chelsea, who have spent £1billion on transfers under their new owners, said of their financial results last week: “Despite the loss in the year and the continued fallout from the sanctions placed on the club in the prior year, the club continues to comply with UEFA and Premier League financial regulations.”

Chelsea are expected to sell several players this summer to balance the books. Boehly recently visited Saudi Arabia, where he continues to try to offload senior stars like Romelu Lukaku.

Newcastle will soon trigger a clause to sign Lewis Hall for £28m at the end of his loan deal. Further homegrown stars, including Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja and Ian Maatsen, could also be sold, allowing significant room to make further signings.