German outfit Stuttgart have moved quickly to prevent interest from Chelsea and Inter Milan in wing-back Borna Sosa becoming concrete, by slapping a hefty price tag on his head.

The defender has stood out for the struggling Bundesliga side so far this campaign, providing one goal and three assists in 16 outings in the German top flight to date. As a result of his good form, Chelsea have been linked with a potential move for the Croatian international this January as they look to address their defensive woes.

Ben Chilwell has been ruled out for the season with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, leaving only Marcos Alonso as an option at left wing-back. Meanwhile, the club are having difficulty recalling Emerson Palmieri, currently on loan at Lyon.

As a result, other options have been considered.

Now, however, Stuttgart have reportedly warned interested sides that they will be holding out for 30 million euros (25.1 million pounds) to part ways with their star man this January. Under contract until 2025, they are under no pressure to sell, although should they fail to battle their way out of relegation form they could lose him for far less in the summer.

Should Chelsea pursue Sosa?

There is a strong argument to be made that Chelsea need another left-back anyway, with Alonso now 31 and out of contract in 18 months. With Atletico Madrid reportedly interested in the Spaniard, the summer could be the last opportunity to get a fee for the Spaniard that Chelsea have.

As has been seen several times before, recovery from an ACL injury is not easy, and there is no guarantee that Chilwell will ever return to be the player he was before. In this vein, it would make sense to bring in Sosa now, and give him time to acclimatise to the English top-flight if Chelsea feel he would be a good fit.

However, there is the Cobham argument.

Chelsea have seen Tariq Lamptey and Valentino Livramento fly high after being released from the London club’s academy for nominal fees, while Armando Broja is excelling on loan at Southampton.

Ian Maatsen, currently on loan at Coventry in the Championship, is another that the club have high hopes for. Should he return and prove that he is able to fight for a first team spot as Trevoh Chalobah has this season, he could save the club having to buy a full-back at all.

It is a big if, though.