Transfer insider: Chelsea have ‘definite interest’ in Dayot Upamecano, Fikayo Tomori to AC Milan, West Brom chasing Hamza Choudhury

Chelsea have a definite interest in RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano.

The 22-year-old has been watched by Manchester Untied and Liverpool and has also been linked with Arsenal in the past.

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talkSPORT’s transfer expert Alex Crook has revealed Upamecano’s £37.5million (€37.5m) release clause kicks into gear this summer... and he won’t be short of suitors.

He told Tuesday's White & Jordan show: “We’ve talked about this guy a lot over the course of the last year or so, he’s a really highly-rated defender.

“He plays for RB Leipzig, he helped them do great things in the Champions League last season.

“Manchester United have watched him, Liverpool have watched him, Arsenal have been linked in the past.

“Now we’re hearing Chelsea are showing a definite interest, along with Bayern Munich. I don’t know if this is a deal that can necessarily happen this month because he’s got a release clause of of €42million that kicks into gear in the summer.

“But if those clubs I’ve mentioned are going to go toe-to-toe, this could be a really fascinating saga to watch and see exactly which club he picks. He’s a top player.”

Meanwhile, Fikayo Tomori could be on his way out of Chelsea this month.

The England defender almost joined West Ham on loan last summer, but opted to stay at Stamford Bridge.

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That decision has not paid off with Tomori making just four appearances so far this season.

Now, Crook claims Serie A leaders AC Milan are trying to take Tomori on loan for the rest of the season.

He said: “Chelsea are looking to shift players on as well as possibly strengthen this month.

“Tomori is clearly a player that Frank Lampard, for whatever reason, has decided isn’t part of his plans.

“He said after the FA Cup game at the weekend that he is expected to go out on loan this month.

“Leeds have shown an interest, he came very close to joining West Ham in October, he pulled out literally an hour before the deadline.

“Rennes have been in constant dialogue with Chelsea as well. Now we’re hearing AC Milan are making a late play to take Tomori on loan.

“That would be some move for him at one of the biggest clubs in Europe.”

Crook also revealed out-of-favour Leicester midfielder Hamza Choudhury is being targeted by Newcastle and West Brom.

It is understood that the Foxes could recall Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from his loan spell at Luton if Choudhury leaves.

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Crook added: “Hamza Choudhury is a player very much in-demand. Newcastle have cast admiring glances in his direction.

“So to have West Bromwich Albion, they’re the team that have been in talks with Leicester.

“West Brom would take him on loan, [but] Brendan Rodgers has made it clear already he would prefer a permanent transfer.

“This one has been complicated further. Sources in Belgium are saying Dennis Praet is facing a few weeks on the sidelines, that could change Rodgers’ thinking about letting Choudhury leave altogether.

“However, my contacts at Leicester say they’re suggesting perhaps a recall for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a young player who’s been going great guns at Luton, is maybe more likely than a way back in for Choudhury.

“So Sam Allardyce shouldn’t give up hope on that one yet. Allardyce himself has said he needs up to half a dozen players in order to make West Brom competitive in the Premier League. I think that’s a big ask.

“I spoke to someone close to the club last night and they said to me, ‘they’re going to need a lot more than Choudhury’. So let’s see what Big Sam does.”