Thomas Tuchel remains determined to integrate at least two more new centre-backs into the Chelsea squad this summer and there is still a strong chance that they could both be new signings.
With Levi Colwill and Ethan Ampadu returning to the club for pre-season and the pair both central defenders capable of playing in a back three or four, the club do have an internal solution. That hasn't stopped Todd Boehly advancing talks to belatedly bring Jules Kounde to London, though.
The Frenchman is now on the verge of leaving Sevilla after a year-long transfer saga that has been going on since last summer. With Chelsea finally getting close to agreeing a £60million deal for the player, that would appear to take care of one of the centre-halves wanted by Tuchel.
READ MORE: Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui decision hints at Jules Kounde's Chelsea transfer being 'done deal'
There are still a host of names linked with Chelsea, despite their losing out on Matthijs De Ligt, and Joska Gvardiol is one of those. But football.london understands that one of Tuchel's former employees is top of the list, outside of Kounde, and the Blues have been given a boost in their attempts to secure him.
Although Presenel Kimpembe is settled in Paris and has no immediate desire to leave, he would be open to a move if it was to surface, and Chelsea are trying their best to ensure it does. The 26-year-old isn't in a position to force his way out of the French capital but could be swayed by working with Tuchel again after the German managed him at the Parc des Princes for two and a half years, between 2018 and 2021.
Paris Saint-Germain are working on Nordi Mukiele deal. Talks ongoing, been told personal terms are already agreed with Mukiele on long-term contract. He’s a concrete name for PSG. #PSG
Negotiations ongoing with RB Leipzig to reach full agreement. pic.twitter.com/bVqswejMbU— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
Hope of rekindling that relationship has not died yet and Fabrizio Romano is reporting that PSG are "working on Nordi Mukiele deal. Talks ongoing, been told personal terms are already agreed with Mukiele on long-term contract. He’s a concrete name for PSG."
Mukiele, also a Frenchman, is another player that has been on Chelsea's own radar and fits a similar bill to Kounde as a right sided defender. Talks with RB Leipzig are ongoing for the Ligue 1 champions and if a deal were to be reached, it could opens up the door for Chelsea to pounce on any lingering Kimpembe hesitation over his future.
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