Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on 25-year-old Lazio defensive mainstay Mario Gila ahead of a potential transfer.

According to a report from Football Insider, Mario Gila could be heading to the Premier League in the near future, as multiple top clubs in England are keen on his signature on the back of his consistent performances for Lazio.

Gila was a part of the Real Madrid youth setup back in the day. While he did make a couple of first-team appearances, he left the club in the summer of 2022 in search of a more prominent role. Since joining Lazio, the 25-year-old centre-back has only gone from strength to strength. While he had a slowish start to life in Italy, Gila has established himself as one of their mainstays.

He is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the Italian top flight. Last season, the Spaniard was in the top seven per cent of centre-backs for progressive passes per 90 (5.16) in Serie A. The defender was in the top three per cent for passes into the final third per 90, and even maintained an overall successful passing rate of 91.6%.

Apart from his exceptional defensive abilities, Mario Gila’s composure on the ball and ability to play out from the back have resulted in a lot of interest from across Europe. Since he has less than two years left on his deal, Lazio are bracing themselves for offers for the 25-year-old.

Chelsea keen on signing Gila

Chelsea are one of the clubs that are keen on signing Mario Gila. The Blues are long-term admirers of the Spanish centre-back, and they have been scouting him this season. Their scouts have been spotted in the stands to watch him in action on multiple occasions.

Maresca is keen on signing a new centre-back after failing to get a deal over the line in the summer. He has made his desire known to the club. With a few of their top stars out injured, Chelsea certainly need more quality and depth at the back. Gila could be an exceptional signing for them. He has a lot of experience under his belt and could significantly bolster their backline.