Chelsea could still try to sign Presnel Kimpbembe this summer despite moves for Kalidou Koulibaly and Nathan Ake edging closer.
A defensive overhaul is required at Chelsea this summer following the departures of Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen to Barcelona. Club captain Cesar Azplicueta's future at Stamford Bridge also remains uncertain amid interest from the Catalan giants. With that in mind, Thomas Tuchel has identified three ideal targets to strengthen at centre-half.
football.london understands that a deal for Koulibaly is now close, whilst reports have suggested that personal terms between club and player have now been agreed. Bayern Munich are now favourites to sign Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus, which is likely to have accelerated Chelsea’s interest in the Senegalese star.
READ MORE: Chelsea close to Kalidou Koulibaly signing amid Matthijs de Ligt and Jules Kounde decision
A move for Ake is also a likely possibility. football.london have learned that the Blues are continuing to push forward with a deal for the Dutchman. Manchester City are hoping to receive a fee in excess of £40million for Ake, who is a Chelsea academy graduate and made 17 first-team appearances for the Blues before being sold to Bournemouth in the summer of 2017. He joined City two seasons ago in a deal worth £41m.
Now, as per the Telegraph, the Blues could still try to add Kimpembe to their squad. Chelsea remain interested in the Frenchman, who Tuchel managed at Paris Saint-Germain.
Signing Koulibaly, Ake and Kimpembe would be a huge statement from Todd Boehly and Co. Whether he and the club can get all three deals done remains to be seen but it's certainly a promising start.
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