Chelsea are reportedly in talks to sign French defender Presnel Kimpembe from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
According to Daily Telegraph, Chelsea have held talks with Paris Saint-Germain central defender Presnel Kimpembe as they step up their pursuit of a centre-back signing this summer. The Blues are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements and have lined up a list of transfer targets.
Chelsea have lost two first-team centre-backs this summer, with Antonio Rudiger joining Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen moving to Barcelona on free transfers. The west London club are also running the risk of losing Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, both of whom have just a year remaining on their respective contracts with the west London outfit.
Strengthening the defence is thus on top of the Blues’ wishlist, who have shortlisted the likes of Jules Kounde, Nathan Ake, Matthis de Ligt and Kimpembe as their summer targets.
Chelsea have had a long-standing interest in Sevilla’s Kounde, who was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge last summer before the Andalusian club increased their demands at the last minute. Chelsea have now returned to the market for the Frenchman this summer, but discussions have been ongoing and the two teams are yet to reach an agreement.
Tuchel is also lining up a move for former Chelsea defender Nathan Ake. The Dutchman is not among Pep Guardiola’s first-choice centre-backs at Manchester City and could find a new lease of life at Stamford Bridge next season.
Matthijs de Ligt is another one of Chelsea’s top targets, but the Dutchman is reportedly being courted by Bayern Munich as well, leaving Chelsea to look for other options. Kimpembe has now emerged as another option, with PSG looking to sign Milan Skriniar from Inter Milan.
Skriniar’s arrival will cut down on Kimpembe’s game time at PSG, and the French international’s former manager at the club, Tuchel could give him a way out at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have held talks with the player’s representatives, who still has two years left on his contract with PSG. But Kimpembe will not come cheap, meaning Chelsea might need to keep their options open.
