Free agent defender John Stones has emerged as a potential option for Chelsea in this transfer window.

The 32-year-old is searching for a new club following his World Cup campaign with England after leaving Man City at the end of his contract earlier this month.

Chelsea want to sign players who can have an immediate impact in Xabi Alonso's first season in charge.

The Blues want to sign a centre-back and ideally any new arrival would be physically imposing and bring Premier League experience.

Chelsea have raised around £130m from sales in this window and more players are set to leave.

In defence, players who could move on include Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile, Malo Gusto and Axel Disasi.

Palace seek £55m-plus for Lacroix as Chelsea talks begin

Chelsea are in talks with Crystal Palace over the signing of defender Maxence Lacroix.

Sky Sports News understands Palace are seeking more than the £55m Tottenham paid for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton to sanction Lacroix's sale.

Palace and Chelsea enjoy good relations at the highest levels and they have done deals for players such as Chalobah and Ben Chilwell.

Chelsea's key summer business so far

In

Geovany Quenda - Sporting, £43.5m

Marco Palestra - Atalanta, £43m

Denner - Corinthians, £8.7m

Dastan Satpaev - Kairat Almaty, £2.1m

Emmanuel Emegha - Strasbourg, undisclosed

Out

Marc Cucurella - Real Madrid, £51.8m

Andrey Santos - Man Utd, £50m

Tyrique George - Everton, £24m

Jimmy-Jay Morgan - West Brom, £4m