Thomas Tuchel has hinted at Chelsea transfer disappointment for Frenkie de Jong as Man United offered fresh hope amid tough Barcelona situation.
The Blues got their season off to a good start this weekend with their 1-0 victory at Goodison Park. Three of the five new signings featured in some capacity with Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly featuring from the start. Marc Cucurella got a few minutes off the bench as his £63million transfer from Brighton was confirmed just in time for game week 1.
But the spending isn't set to stop anytime soon. Both Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have identified the striker position as the main priority amid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transfer talk. Currently, though, defence seems to be high on the agenda of new owner Todd Boehly who is preparing to make Wesley Fofana the most expensive defender in the world.
READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel gives verdict on Chelsea transfer window amid Wesley Fofana and De Jong bids
Whether the number 9 position is second on the priority list remains to be seen with the midfield area also a position of interest, especially with the De Jong interest.
The latest indications are that Chelsea are prepared to go 'big' to convince the 25-year-old to move on from the Camp Nou this summer. Obviously, the player had made it clear that he wants to stay amid a contractual dispute but Barca need to shift the Holland international on to comply with La Liga regulations amid worries of not being able to register new signings.
Some of the Spanish press are indicating that significant progress in this deal could be made next week but based on Tuchel's words, this may not be the case at all.
After the Everton win, the German hinted to Sky Sports that Fofana and Aubameyang may be higher on the priority list currently which would give Man United fresh hope whilst also increasing the chances of an unwanted Barcelona stay.
"Yeah, if we can add, we add. Maybe not necessarily a midfielder as a first option but we’re open for everything," Tuchel told Sky Sports post-match via The Mirror. "I think we can use new energy, new legs and fresh input to bring us to a new level. If not, then we will push this team but I think we could use some more input and some more quality. We’re on it but we will not tell you [who]."
Many pundits like Gerard Romero, Paul Hirst and even ex-Premier League manager Harry Redknapp had ruled Man Utd out of the equation but this comment from Tuchel may give the Red Devils the incentive to try again and not give up on a pursuit that they have been solely fixated on since the transfer window opened.
Chelsea fans - if you could only sign two of Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Frenkie de Jong before the September 1 deadline, who would you pick and why? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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