Chelsea are reportedly set to open contract extension talks with Levi Colwill next year as they look to ward off interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool.

Colwill, 23, missed the vast majority of last season due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but he is now back to full fitness and he has played a key role during the early months of Xabi Alonso’s reign at Stamford Bridge.

The England international still has over two-and-a-half years remaining on his current Chelsea contract, however the club are keen to finalise fresh terms in 2027.

That is according to a report from TEAMtalk, who claim that Chelsea will prioritise reaching a contract extension agreement with Colwill next year as he is internally viewed as a key part of their future plans under Xabi Alonso.

Liverpool were strongly linked with a move for Colwill following an impressive loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion during the 2022-23 season, however Chelsea were unwilling to sanction a permanent sale at the time and the Englishman soon became a key member of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.

It’s reported that Liverpool remain interested in finalising a possible deal for Colwill, amid their pursuit of a long-term replacement for club captain Virgil van Dijk, but Chelsea have no interest in engaging in transfer talks and they are instead eager to finalise a new contract with the 23-year-old.

Fellow Cobham academy graduate Josh Acheampong is also in line for a new deal following an eye-catching start to the 2026-27 campaign, with the Blues hierarchy ready to reward their best-performing players with improved terms.

Who will Liverpool sign next year?

While a deal for Colwill is unlikely to be completed, Liverpool are expected to sign a new central defender next year, in addition to triggering the €55 million option-to-buy clause in Ronald Araujo’s loan deal.

Murillo (Nottingham Forest) and Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund) are both firmly believed to be on Liverpool’s radar ahead of 2027, although the club may instead opt to re-sign Jarell Quansah, who has excelled since completing a permanent move to Bayer Leverkusen last year.

Andoni Iraola’s side are able to bring the England star back to Anfield for €65m thanks to a clause in his Leverkusen contract and while Arsenal, Chelsea and Real Madrid are all believed to be interested in a deal, a return to Liverpool appears to be Quansah’s most likely next step as things stand.