REPORT: Atletico Madrid keen on fringe Chelsea player

Atletico Madrid are reportedly eyeing a move for out-of-favour Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell in the upcoming January transfer window.

Despite a solid start to their La Liga campaign, Atletico's recent 4-0 Champions League defeat to Benfica exposed defensive vulnerabilities, prompting Diego Simeone to consider reinforcements.

Chilwell has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge under new manager Enzo Maresca due to his limitations for the Italian’s approach. 

Although he was reintegrated into the first team after failing to secure a transfer in the summer, the Englishman remains a fringe player and was notably left out of Chelsea's Europa Conference League squad.

This situation has caught the attention of Atletico Madrid, who are familiar with negotiating with Chelsea after their summer acquisition of Conor Gallagher. 

Reports suggest that Atletico are prepared to pursue the wide defender with the same persistence they showed in their pursuit of Gallagher.

Atletico return to LaLiga action against Real Sociedad on Sunday, October 6.