Chelsea join Manchester United and Spurs in transfer battle for Fulham star Joachim Andersen
The centre-back is wanted by some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea have joined Manchester United and Tottenham in the race to sign Fulham loan star Joachim Andersen this summer, according to reports in his native Denmark.

The 24-year-old has enjoyed an impressive spell in west London since joining last summer on loan from Ligue 1 giants Lyon, delivering a number of excellent displays despite the Cottagers’ struggles.

Lyon intend to capitalise on Andersen’s eye-catching form and will cash in on the Danish international, with the tough-negotiating French club setting an asking price of £25million.

Joachim Andersen Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Andersen has starred for Fulham despite their relegation troubles (Picture: Getty)

Fulham had hoped to turn Andersen’s loan stay into a permanent move if they stayed up, but now a host of Premier League sides are queueing up to poach the defender.

According to Danish newspaper BT, both United and Spurs are long-time admirers of Andersen with Chelsea now also registering their interest in the imposing Dane, who was made skipper by Fulham boss Scott Parker after just four games.

Two more Premier League sides, Leicester City and Crystal Palace, are also looking into the possibility of securing a deal for Andersen.

But, according to BT’s report, it is Tottenham who lead the case and they already have a meeting scheduled with Andersen’s entourage for next week.

Jose Mourinho is desperate to bolster a back-line that have looked shaky at the back this season, with Andersen providing the solidity and leadership his defence have been missing.

Chelsea join Manchester United and Spurs in transfer battle for Fulham star Joachim Andersen
Chelsea are looking to bring in a new centre-back this summer (Picture: Getty)

Lyon are happy to sell for a fee roughly similar to what they paid Sampdoria in 2019, with the French side recently extending the contracts of current first-choice centre-back partnership Marcelo and Jason Denayer.

Both Chelsea and United have made signing a new centre-back one of their top priorities this summer and there are few players with Premier League experience who represent better value for money than Andersen.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are also believed to be looking at Raphael Varane and Pau Torres as they eye a new partner for Harry Maguire, while Chelsea have been linked with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.

MORE : Lyon set £25m asking price for Manchester United and Tottenham target Joachim Andersen

MORE : Hakim Ziyech one of five players Chelsea will offer to land £69m-rated Sevilla defender Jules Kounde

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