Chelsea looking to sign Malmö centre back Anel Ahmedhodžić — report

Chelsea made considerable investment on new signings this summer, but it’s all just part of a longer-term plan. In defense, for example, Thiago Silva just a temporary solution for now.

The Blues will therefore be linked with plenty of center backs before next summer, or even January, and here’s the first of those already.

According to Swedish outlet Expressen, the Blues want to sign Malmö (yeah, Zlatan!) defender, Anel Ahmedhodžić. Part of Nottingham Forest’s development team for a few years, the Sweden-born Bosnia-Herzegovina international spent last season on loan in the Danish first division, at Hobro IK, but has been instrumental to Malmö’s efforts this season, starting 24 of their 25 games since June. They currently have an 8-point lead in the Allsvenskan.

Standing at a towering 1.92 metres tall, the 21-year-old Ahmedhodžić has earned rave reviews for his recent performances, and has garnered the interest of big European sides, including Chelsea. The Blues are apparently willing to offer €8m for the player’s services along with a 5-year contract with Ahmedhodžić’s current contract expiring in December 2023.

While Chelsea have concentrated on acquiring talented players for the youth teams from the Nordic region as of late, they were all much younger than Ahmedhodžić. But it is unlikely that Anel would immediately be drafted into the Blues’ first team either. Loaning him out could be the possible solution, although it’s worth noting that Chelsea already have a number of young, talented centre backs along similar lines in the setup, like Malang Sarr, Marc Guehi, Xavier Mbuyamba, Dynel Simeu, Levi Colwill, etc.