Transfer gossip: Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool interested in signing Napoli defender Elseid Hysaj – reports

Chelsea are leading a number of Premier League clubs in the race to sign Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj, according to reports.

Manchester United and Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in the versatile defender, while there has also been considerable interest from Arsenal in the past.

According to Sportitalia, the Albania international is wanted by a host of top European clubs and has a release clause of £43.72 million (approximately €50 million).

Reports claim Hysaj’s agent has been spotted meeting officials of the London club on more than one occasion.

They are not put off by the price tag, and are said to be in pole position.

Hysaj is more naturally a right-back, but has operated from the left-hand side to compensate for the loss of Faouzi Ghoulam to injury.

The Blues are reportedly in the market for a right-sided defender after switching between Victor Moses and Davide Zappacosta.

On the other flank, Emerson Palmieri has shown himself to be more-than able deputy for the suspended Marcos Alonso.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp may have cooled in his interest in a right-back thanks to the emergence of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The 19-year-old is apparently set for an imminent pay rise after triggering performance-based bonuses as a result of his fantastic season.