Last updated on .From the section Football

Alex could be set for a move to the Bundesliga

Bayern Munich are keen to sign Chelsea defender Alex, BBC Sport has learned.

The Bundesliga side turned their attentions to the 28-year-old after failing to agree a fee with Manchester City for defender Jerome Boateng.

Alex's departure would leave Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry and David Luiz as Chelsea's senior centre-backs.

The Blues have yet to move into the transfer market this summer, having spent £71m in January on Luiz and striker Fernando Torres.

Chelsea refused to comment on the reports.

Since the end of last season, three players have left Chelsea to join Hamburg - Michael Mancienne, Jacopo Sala and Gokhan Tore.

Former Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen, who is now responsible for Hamburg's transfer affairs, is also reported to be close to bringing young Blues centre-back Jeffrey Bruma to the German side on a two-year loan deal.

The Blues are currently without a manager after they parted company with Italian Carlo Ancelotti in May, following a campaign during which they failed to win any silverware for the first time in three seasons.

Alex joined the Stamford Bridge club in 2004 but was immediately loaned out to PSV Eindhoven because he had not played enough games for Brazil to qualify for a work permit.

He helped PSV win three Dutch league titles before finally completing his move to Chelsea in 2007.

Alex was behind Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry in the centre-back pecking order until Carvalho moved to Real Madrid at the start of last season. Alex became first choice before a knee operation in December ruled him out for two months.