CHELSEA are keen on Bundesliga superstar Jonathan Tah to be Thiago Silva's long-term replacement.
The Blues veteran's contract is set to expire at the end of the season as Mauricio Pochettino's side are on the hunt to find another centre-back.
Silva, 39, is renowned as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
The Brazilian has made 137 appearances for Chelsea across four seasons after moving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
But with his contract at Stamford Bridge set to expire next summer, the centre-back's future at the club is uncertain.
The West London side will be short of defensive options if Silva departs, as Trevoh Chalobah's Chelsea spell comes to an end too.
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And BILD reporter Christian Falk has confirmed the Blues have their eye on Bayern Leverkusen defender Tah.
He tweeted: "TRUE ✅ Chelsea is interested in centre-back Jonathan Tah (27) of Bayer Leverkusen.
"Tah has a release clause in his contract (til 2025). He could be the successor of Thiago Silva (39). New Agent of Tah: Pini Zahavi."
And according to Transfermarkt the 6ft 5in centre-back is valued at £17million.
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The 27-year-old has been a key player at the German side but his contract has a release clause in place until 2025.
Since 2015, when he joined from Hamburg in the second division, Tah has been one of the most impressive defenders in the Bundesliga.
He has made 321 appearances for Leverkusen who are in fine form to secure the league title to dethrone last year's winners Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen will be eager to tie him down with another deal but if they can’t agree terms over a new contract they risk losing their star defender.
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