"?Chelsea are considering a move for Newcastle centre-back and captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Lascelles, 22, has played in every Championship match for Newcastle so far this season, helping the club into their current position of first in the league. They have also conceded 12 goals in 15 league matches, the third best defensive record in the Championship.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is reportedly keen on recruiting home grown talent, and, "?according to the Sun, he is interested in signing Lascelles after positive reports from his scouts, and his club could make a bid of £18m.
Lascelles was awarded the captain's armband following Fabricio Collocini's exit form the club over the summer, and his form has interested Chelsea, who are keen to recruit new defensive talent with a few of their first-choice players heading towards the twilight of their careers.
John Terry will be 36 by the end of the season, while there have been doubts over the form of fellow centre-back Gary Cahill.
While Lascelles' has been targeted as a potential transfer signing, Chelsea are also rumoured to be interested in Spurs and Wales left-back Ben Davies, who has previously played as a centre-back for his country but has been second choice to Danny Rose during his time at White Hart Lane.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in Middlesbrough's 23-year-old defender Ben Gibson, who is playing the first Premier League football of his career this season, while Burnley's Michael Keane - who was recently selected for England's national team squad -has also been linked.
Chelsea have seen an upturn in form after switching to a three man defence in recent games, although their system came unstuck during midweek as they lost in the EFL Cup to rivals West Ham in a match dominated by off-the-field antics from fans.