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Tom Coley

Chelsea's next transfer priority revealed after Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling deals

What's that saying about London buses? You wait ages for one and then Todd Boehly really starts to shake things up and Chelsea look like a fierce competitor for next season? Yeah, something like that.

With Kalidou Koulibaly's transfer emerging as one of the quickest deals to be done, the Blues are now closing in on a number of massive first team signings to strength Thomas Tuchel's squad for next season, and they aren't even close to being done there.

With Raheem Sterling now confirmed as a Chelsea player, Koulibaly is reportedly set to complete his Blues medical on Thursday. Manchester City defender Nathan Ake is also closely being monitored, which shows Boehly is making serious progress on improving Tuchel's squad.

READ MORE: Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea transfer: 'Full agreement', Barcelona threat, Edouard Mendy verdict

The understanding is that the American co-owner has left a mark on those who he has spoken too and, even though not fooled by his long term goals and roles, has done a very good job as interim sporting director. It seems that his impact has been so drastic that Tuchel may well be rewarded with another of his personal targets.

Not that Koulibaly or Sterling weren't players he favoured, but when it comes to Presnel Kimpembe, who is reportedly now the next man to be worked on, this is a sure fire Tuchel man. The French centre-back was elevated under Tuchel into a world class defender, and the interest has remained from Tuchel's side ever since he made Kimpembe a key role in his 2018/19 title winning PSG side.

As reported by Christian Falk: "After done Deal with Kalidou Koulibaly: @ChelseaFC want Presnel Kimpembe @PSG_inside as second centre back."

Whilst there was already known admiration for Kimpembe from Chelsea, especially under Tuchel, and his name had been discussed, this is the first time any concrete links between the two parties have been made. If a deal for Kimpembe is to be reached, which is by no means a formality, then he would likely be more expensive than both Ake and Koulibaly, and he does have a contract for another two years.

Other centre backs that Chelsea have been linked with such as Matthijs de Ligt or Jules Kounde have either been put on the back burner or are seemingly unattainable, which has opened the door for Boehly to take a run at Kimpembe.

The 26-year-old has been capped 28 times for his country and made 80 appearances over two and a half seasons for Tuchel in Paris.

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