It isn't yet time for panic stations at Stamford Bridge, but after returning back to England following a catastrophic end to pre-season, Thomas Tuchel has a lot of work to do ahead of the Premier League opener against Everton in 12 days.
Chelsea are chasing their tails in an attempt to finally secure Jules Kounde, meanwhile there are up to seven players that would like to leave the club as Todd Boehly truly starts to feel the pace and pressure of the world football market.
The Blues ended their tour of America with a damaging 4-0 loss to Arsenal that highlighted how far Tuchel's side are behind schedule, and now there is a real expectation that deals - both arrivals and departures - are concluded quickly in order to stabilise the squad.
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The majority of their attention has been turned to securing the signature of Jules Kounde, but that deal continues to be delayed with Barcelona's unwelcomed involvement. Although this hasn't stopped Chelsea from working on signings elsewhere, they tried for Presnel Kimpembe before giving in to his desire to stay in Paris and were close to agreeing a fee for Nathan Ake but backed out short of the £50m price tag.
With movements all-around Chelsea, they are now returning to one of their longest-standing targets and just like Kalidou Koulibaly in 2017. It's a man that Antonio Conte wanted during his time at SW6.
With Paris Saint-Germain moving sharply to execute the deal for another Chelsea target, Nordi Mukiele, that has left the door open for the Blues to rekindle talks for Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar, a player they have been attracted to for a long time. The Slovakian centre-back has a contract until next summer, so they could be forced to move for a cut price this summer, though.
reports that the Italian club are holding out for more than £60m for the player.
Chelsea are believed to have been interested in including the 27-year-old in a swap-deal for Romelu Lukaku in the early parts of the summer but that was rebuffed and as Tuchel now looks for more defensive quality, the Blues could enter the mix for Skriniar with a straight-cash deal, and they could skip the queue of suitors.
Christophe Gaultier's PSG side are now close to improving their defence with Mukiele but they are still prepared to let Kimpembe go despite his wishes to remain. This could dent their attempts to pick up Skriniar who is another player that would be allowed to leave for the right price, therefore creating a situation in which PSG can't fit another centre back into the club as it stands. As Inter Milan are now confident that they will retain Alessandro Bastoni, therefore giving some room for a defensive departure, Skriniar could be that man.
With a move for £60m still being on the table with Sevilla regarding Kounde, it would be an expensive deal to sanction if Milan weren't willing to drop their heft asking price, but given Chelsea's determination to bring in two defenders this summer and the transfer tangle they are in, forking out for Skriniar might be one of their only choices.
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