Serie A giants Juventus are reportedly ready to rival Chelsea in the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.
According to The Times, Juventus have joined the race to sign Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Presnel Kimpembe. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is also being targeted by Chelsea, who are eager to add more defensive reinforcements after signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
Chelsea’s need for central defensive signings has been well-documented, with the Blues in desperate need to sign centre-backs this summer. The west Londoners have lost Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger to Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively, and could also lose Cesar Azpilicueta to Barcelona.
They have so far signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, but Thomas Tuchel wants at least two more central defensive signings this summer. Sevilla’s Jules Kounde has been a long-term target, but Barcelona are also pushing hard to sign the French international, complicating matters for Chelsea.
Kimpembe is another defender on Tuchel’s shortlist, with the Chelsea head coach managing the French defender during his time in Paris. The player has now reportedly asked PSG to allow him to listen to offers, signalling that an exit could be on the cards this summer.
Kimpembe is a PSG youth product and has been with the club since 2005. He has totalled 221 appearances for the senior squad and still has two years left on his current contract. But the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner is eager to explore his options, leaving the path open for Chelsea to make their offer.
But Chelsea will have to compete with Juventus, who are themselves in the hunt for a central defensive signing to replace Giorgio Chiellini, who left at the end of last season. In addition, the Serie A giants sold Matthijs de Ligt to Bayern Munich while signed Gleison Bremer from Torino as his replacement.
PSG are eyeing an offer in the region of £60 million for Kimpembe, with Chelsea reportedly submitting a much smaller £40 million bid a week ago. The Blues have been in talks with Kimpembe’s entourage since the start of this month and are optimistic about completing the deal. But the entry of Serie A giants Juventus and their enquiry could complicate matters for Chelsea.
