Chelsea Considering Move for Lazio Defender After Double Real Madrid Blow | OneFootball

Chelsea are reportedly plotting an onslaught on Lazio defender Mario Gila after missing out on Dean Huijsen.

Dean Huijsen Set to Join Real Madrid

The Blues have been one of the clubs tracking the development of the 20-year-old Spanish who rose through the ranks of Juventus. The young centre-back has been sensational in his maiden Premier League campaign at Bournemouth, prompting a bidding war among some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Los Merengues prevailing in the end.

Chelsea Turn to Mario Gila

According to English journalist Fraser Fletcher, Chelsea have turned their attention to other profiles after conceding defeat in the race to sign Huijsen, with Gila now emerging as a potential solution for the West Londoners.

(Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

It should also be noted that Huijsen’s seemingly imminent transfer to Real Madrid isn’t only a blow for Chelsea, but perhaps also for Gila who has been tipped to return to the Spanish capital side. The Spaniard has been playing his football at Lazio since 2022 and is supposedly happy in Rome, but a return to Santiago Bernabeu remains an enticing prospect.

Mario Gila Has Several Admirers in Europe

While Real Madrid has been one of Gila’s main suitors, he has also been linked with several other top European clubs, including Manchester City, AC Milan and Inter Milan. Nevertheless, Lazio won’t relinquish the services of one of their most important defenders on the cheap, so a comprehensive offer will be required to lure the 24-year-old away from Formello.

The Barcelona native has been an automatic starter in Marco Baroni’s lineup this season. He scored two goals in 41 appearances across all competitions.