Chelsea have reportedly emerged as front-runners to sign Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard this summer.

Pavard has just over 12 months left on his current deal and could look for a new challenge abroad after seven years in Germany with Stuttgart and Bayern.

The Frenchman has been a regular for Bayern this season, playing 26 times in the Bundesliga, but his opportunities at international level have become few and far between.

The Mirror claims that Chelsea are keen to add to their defence even further, after signing the likes of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile this season.

Pavard can be utilised in the centre or as a right-back, meaning there could be stern competition on the right-hand side, with Reece James already at Stamford Bridge, and Malo Gusto set to return after being sent back to Lyon on loan in January.

Chelsea are not the only side linked with Pavard though, as Manchester United and Inter Milan are said to be looking at the 27-year-old.

Barcelona are also in the mix, and may be the favoured club after buying Robert Lewandowski from Bayern last summer. body check tags ::