Chelsea have reportedly kept tabs on RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer, who is set to leave the Bundesliga club this summer.
A recent report from football.london has offered an update on Chelsea’s transfer policy for the upcoming summer transfer window. Among many other players, the Premier League giants are in the market for a new defensive midfielder amid uncertainties over the future of current first-team stars.
Declan Rice has been a transfer priority at Stamford Bridge, but with the Englishman seemingly likely to remain at West Ham United, the Blues are keeping their options open. One of the players Chelsea have targeted is Konrad Laimer while Ibrahim Sangare is another alternative.
Chelsea had scouted Laimer during the 2021/22 campaign when the 25-year-old midfielder turned out to be one of Leipzig’s best performers. Recovering from a long injury layoff, the Austrian international produced a series of excellent performances, eventually helping Leipzig reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
Laimer’s performances were critical in helping Die Roten Bullen finish inside the top four in the Bundesliga as well. But with his contract expiring at the end of next season, a move away from Leipzig could be in the offing.
Considering his vast knowledge of German football, Thomas Tuchel is well aware of Laimer’s talents. The Chelsea boss is targeting the 25-year-old midfielder as an ideal deputy or perhaps even a replacement for N’Golo Kante.
The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Manchester United lately, and the report suggests the Blues are set to consider reasonable offers from the former Leicester City starlet. The same goes for Chelsea vice-captain Jorginho, who has been subjected to a return to Serie A, amid interest from Juventus.
Kante or Jorginho’s potential exit could create a large gaping hole in Chelsea’s midfield. That is where Konrad Laimer comes into the fray, having established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga.
Although the Austrian is not exactly a natural holding midfielder, his aggression and work ethic make him an ideal cog in the second line of press. His hard-working nature could impress Tuchel, in particular, as his tactical philosophy requires his players to remain extremely proactive in the middle of the park.
However, Chelsea’s pursuit of Laimer may only lead to a dead end, as Bayern Munich remain firm favourites to secure the services of the RB Leipzig starlet, who is available for a cut-price deal in light of his expiring contract.
