Chelsea have apparently put together a fresh, four-man shortlist of potential defensive signings after losing out on Jules Kounde.
The Blues were thought to be highly interested in the Frenchman as they attempt to bolster their backline following the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen this summer. The Sevilla man was high up on their priority list following the arrival of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly but their long chase of the defender has ended in disappointment.
Barcelona have already announced that they have secured his services - something that has led to some head-scratching considering the Catalans’ precarious financial situation.
Whilst the move has left Chelsea frustrated, they have already reportedly drawn up a comprehensive list of alternatives as they attempt to add defensive recruits between now and deadline day. According to the Evening Standard, Inter Milan pair Denzel Dumfries and Milan Skriniar have emerged as potential options for Thomas Tuchel.
The latter - more conventionally a right-back - has been linked with the Blues for an extended period. He only moved to the San Siro last summer from PSV Eindhoven so it remains to be seen whether Chelsea would be able to tempt him into switching clubs once more.
In the meantime, his defensive colleague Skriniar appears to be available. He was thought to be previously on the verge of a move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain with talks staged between the two clubs but as of yet, a deal has not been agreed.
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Another centre-back that has been considered is Leicester City starlet Wesley Fofana. The Frenchman has caught the eye at the King Power Stadium following his 2020 arrival, with the Blues being long-term admirers.
However, any deal for his services would be hugely difficult considering that he still has five years left to run on a new contract he only penned earlier this year, whilst it is reported that Fofana himself would not be convinced of a move.
A swoop for his compatriot Benjamin Pavard could potentially be considered slightly easier. The former VfB Stuttgart man has slipped down the pecking order at Bayern Munich and could see his opportunities limited even further next term with the arrival of former Ajax and Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt - another former Chelsea target - at the Allianz Arena.
Whilst Chelsea intend on adding further to their defensive options ahead of the new campaign, it appears that their own outgoings aren’t finished quite there. Captain Cesar Azpilicueta also continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona - with Marcos Alonso also apparently on the Spanish side’s summer shortlist.
Whether they choose to pursue the former remains to be seen considering their captures of Kounde and Christensen already this window.
