Chelsea are extremely busy in the summer transfer window as new owner Todd Boehly tries to provide Thomas Tuchel with the best squad possible.
The Blues are desperate for defenders following the losses of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger on free transfers at the end of June. Their search for centre-backs has proven difficult so far, but they have reportedly settled on a new target following some setbacks.
Tuchel will lead his team in a final pre-season friendly against Udinese on Friday, but he is currently enjoying some time off and has been pictured with a new girlfriend in Sardinia.
Here are the latest Chelsea headlines from Mirror Football .
Fofana on transfer shortlist
Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana has emerged as the latest defensive target for Chelsea after Barcelona hijacked their efforts to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
Fofana is under contract with Leicester until June 2027, having signed a two-year extension in March, but is considered achievable in the summer window.
He has moved to the forefront of Chelsea’s thinking after Matthijs de Ligt joined Bayern Munich and negotiations with Manchester City for Nathan Ake broke down. The Blues have signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £34million but are in need of defensive reinforcements after Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger left on free transfers.
Kimpembe rejects Chelsea move
Presnel Kimpembe is set to stay with Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The PSG central defender has been one of the names heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer following the overhaul of coaching and backroom staff at the French club. But new boss Christophe Galtier and director Luis Campos want to keep Kimpembe, in part because they plan to implement a back three in the upcoming season – a formation which will suit the defender.
The 26-year-old worked with Tuchel during his time with the club and is close to Thiago Silva, but it seems he won’t be seeking a reunion in London.
Tuchel enjoys romantic getaway
Thomas Tuchel has taken his new Brazilian girlfriend away on holiday to Sardinia after returning from Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the USA.
Tuchel separated from his wife Sissi back in April after their marriage of 13 years broke down. The 48-year-old is still in the process of finalising the divorce, which has been agreed by London’s High Court, but is already reportedly in a new relationship.
He and 35-year-old mother-of-two Natalie Max have been staying in a £20,000-a-night private villa on the Mediterranean island, where they have been pictured relaxing on a beach, going swimming and on boat trips.