Chelsea's transfer activities are continuing to pick up pace at rapid speed as the search for extra defenders for Thomas Tuchel's squad continues.
The Blues have already purchased Kalidou Koulibaly, who is likely to take the left centre-back spot in a back three, and have serious interest in Leicester's Wesley Fofana and also Joska Gvardiol from RB Leipzig. The huge prices on both players' heads hasn't put Todd Boehly off yet as Chelsea turn to more defensive targets.
This is all important for Tuchel due to losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free contracts at the end of last season and also the failed attempts to sign Jules Kounde. The uncertain commitment and mindset of Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, as well as interest in Levi Colwill, makes the foundations of Chelsea's team very thin.
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Alongside advanced talks for Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, who football.london understand can complete a transfer to Chelsea soon in a deal worth up to £50million, there is now reportedly interest in Southampton fullback Kyle Walker-Peters as a right-back option.
The 25-year-old joined Saints in 2019 after being sold by Tottenham and has since earned his first two England caps following an impressive season on the south coast. The player, who provided a great option to support former-Chelsea youngster Tino Livramento when he suffered a season ending injury last year, is believed to be available for £30-35million this summer if Chelsea were to make a move for him.
As first reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano: "Chelsea are considering many options for right-back position, to be discussed after Cucurella. Kyle Walker-Peters, one of the options alongside Denzel Dumfries.
"Dumfries top of the list but Inter want to keep him, still no bid. Walker-Peters, discussed internally."
Boehly made an enquiry with Inter Milan for Denzel Dumfries last week as Tuchel looks to provide Reece James with a backup, keep the option of using the English defender as a centre-back and also provide general cover for the possible departure of Azpilicueta, and it is believed that negotiations for Dumfries are far from over, but interest in Walker-Peters has no cropped up as well.
Although nothing is on the table for Walker-Peters, Chelsea's discussions regarding the player does at least continue to highlight where Tuchel is continuing to prioritise in the transfer window as he looks to reform the defensive solidity that brought him the keys to winning the Champions League in 2021.
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