Chelsea have identified a Real Madrid defender as a long-term successor to 37 year old centre-back Thiago Silva.

Thiago Silva’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season and the 37 year old Brazilian centre-back could leave Stamford Bridge if no agreement is reached over a new contract.

According to Spanish media outlet Sport, Chelsea and French club Paris Saint-Germain are ready to lock horns for the signing of Real Madrid Castilla defender Rafa Marin.

The 20-year-old centre-back sees his deal with the Spanish giants’ ‘B team’ expire in the summer making him available via a free transfer.

Marin is said to have impressed both Carlo Ancelotti and former boss Zinedine Zidane and has been called up to the Real Madrid first-team on a number of occasions.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Graham Potter raved about youngster Omari Hutchinson following Chelsea’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Speaking after Chelsea’s friendly defeat to Aston Villa, Potter said: “[He was] really good, really good.

“[He was] dangerous, asked the questions all the time, I think he hit the bar in the first half, but throughout the game he showed his quality.

“He wasn’t the only one, it was a spirited performance against an experienced Premier League side so it was good.”