Chelsea have turned down a club-record offer of £30m from Brighton to sign defender Levi Colwill.
Colwill impressed during a season-long loan spell at Brighton last season and the Seagulls are keen to secure the defender’s services on a permanent basis.
The England u21 international made 20 appearances in all competitions as Roberto De Zerbi’s side secured a top-six finish in the Premier League and Europa League qualification.
Sky Sports are reporting that Chelsea have now rejected a £30m offer from Brighton for the 20-year-old, who is viewed as one of the best defensive prospects in English football. The bid is equal to Brighton’s club transfer record, set when signing Joao Pedro from Watford last month.
Chelsea are not interested in selling Colwill this summer and the centre-back could be given a chance under new manager Mauricio Pochettino this season. The academy product led the Premier League for progressive passes per 90 minutes among all central defenders in 2022/23.
Colwill will form part of the England u21 squad at this summer’s European Championship before returning to Chelsea for pre-season.
