Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli this summer on a free transfer.
The Italian centre back is out of contract at the end of the season with Chelsea keen to bring Romagnoli to Stamford Bridge, according to reports in Spain. A host of top European clubs are in the queue for the Italy international and Chelsea are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen set to leave the club this summer.
Former Blues defender Fikayo Tomori plays alongside Romagnoli for AC Milan, but it's the Italian who Chelsea are rumoured to be more interested in signing. Another name linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is Jules Kounde from Sevilla, with the Spanish side looking at Romagnoli as a potential replacement for the French defender.
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Bayern Munich and Barcelona are keen to challenge Chelsea for the Italian defender's signature this summer, with the Spanish giants reportedly also looking at bringing Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso in ahead of next season. Thomas Tuchel is expected to be backed heavily this summer once Todd Boehly's £4.25billion takeover is confirmed by the UK Government and Premier League officials.
The Milan captain has suffered an injury-plagued season, starting only 16 games this season with the club sitting top of the Italian top-flight ahead of rivals Inter. Romagnoli had previously been linked with moves to rival Italian clubs, but now looks likely to leave the Italian top-flight in search of a new challenge.
Ahead of Chelsea's final league games of the season, Tuchel admitted that the squad needs rebuilding rather than strengthening, with multiple players out of contract at the end of this season. The Blues will feature in the Champions League next season once again, having their top-four spot in the Premier League confirmed after Tottenham beat Arsenal and the Gunners lost to Newcastle last week.
