Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has been heavily linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer, with Chelsea said to be among several clubs ready to step up to the plate. However, the west Londoners reportedly face tough competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old, who sees his contract in Italy expire next year, featured 35 times for Simone Inzaghi's side in the Serie A this season, helping the Nerazzurri retain the second-best defensive record in the league. Skriniar has grown into one of Europe's most coveted centre-backs in recent years and his impressive displays have, once again, rallied a wealth of interest in his services.
According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, PSG have already submitted a €50million (£42.7m) bid for the defender which was swiftly rejected. Chelsea, who are believed to be interested in rivaling the French giants for the Slovakian's signature, are yet to have tabled an official offer of their own.
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It's said that PSG have essentially tested the waters for Thomas Tuchel , with Inter revealing Skriniar's asking price. The Italian giants will reportedly demand at least €70million (£59.8m) for the defender's signature.
Though the west Londoners are reportedly yet to submit an offer, they're believed to be exploring different avenues of completing a deal that minimises spending, according to the MailOnline. The report adds that one of which included Ruben Loftus-Cheek as a makeweight in a player-plus-cash transfer.
The Cobham graduate is valued at around €20million (£17m), according to CIES Football Observatory. In theory, this would see Chelsea meet Inter's asking price while also matching PSG's latest bid.
And, luckily for Chelsea, in the last week or so, Milan-based newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, via One Football, claim that the Italian giants see Loftus-Cheek as a suitable replacement for Roberto Gagliardiniin the event that he departs the club. The Parisians, though, are expected to up their bid for Skriniar in the coming weeks.
With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen not at Stamford Bridge next season, Tuchel is plotting a rebuild of his backline this summer. Speaking to football.london, the Blues boss said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
football.london understand that Jules Kounde is the west London club's priority following the takeover. The Sevilla defender is keen on moving to the Blues, almost 12 months after his proposed switch to Stamford Bridge collapsed at the final hurdle.
There is a growing expectation that Chelsea will get the Kounde deal over the line this time around. But, Tuchel's search for new defenders is set to continue after that.
