Chelsea are confident of signing Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile for £30million in January, according to The Athletic.

The Blues are keen on signing a left-sided centre-back in January and Badiashile is the leading candidate.

RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol was a key priority for Chelsea but the Blues are now looking at other options at left centre-back due to his rising value.

The other left-sided centre-backs in Chelsea’s shortlist are Evan N’Dika — set to be available as a free agent when his contract at Eintracht Frankfurt expires on June 30 — and Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.

However, Badiashile has emerged as the priority at present and Chelsea are talking to Monaco about recruiting the France international.

No agreement has been reached between Chelsea and Monaco but the Blues are confident Badiashile will move to Stamford Bridge in the weeks ahead for £30million.

The arrival of Badiashile will finally see Chelsea replace Antonio Rudiger, who left Chelsea as a free agent for Real Madrid in the summer.

Badiashile is a 6ft 4in defender who is good on the ball, incredibly fast and who has impressed in France by regularly stealing the ball off opponents without having to go to ground.