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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Nizaar Kinsella

Chelsea scramble for a new centre-back after triple Presnel Kimpembe, Wesley Fofana and Jules Kounde blow

Chelsea are scrambling for new centre-back targets amid concerns they will miss out on both Jules Kounde and Presnel Kimpembe.

Barcelona are set to beat Chelsea to the signing of Kounde after agreeing a £50million deal with Sevilla for the France international.

Chelsea fear they will be dealt another blow in their search for a central defender after Kimpembe indicated he wants to stay at Paris Saint-Germain. While he has not totally ruled out a move to Chelsea, Kimpembe remains unconvinced about a switch to Stamford Bridge.

That would mean further frustration for Chelsea, who have already missed out on Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake this summer as Thomas Tuchel targets two more new centre-backs.

Chelsea have turned their attention to Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries and could also be offered the chance to sign Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich.

Milan Skriniar is another possible option. PSG have been in talks to buy the Inter Milan centre-back and are hopeful of a breakthrough to snuff out any Chelsea interest.

Wesley Fofana is a long-term target but Leicester have no plans to consider bids for the 21-year-old, who is not keen on moving this summer after he missed most of last season with a broken leg.

Chelsea have strengthened their defence by signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £33m, but Tuchel wants further additions after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Cesar Azpilicueta wants to join Barcelona. (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

They could also go into the new season without Cesar Azpilicueta, who wants to join Barcelona.

Tuchel, who last weekend warned he could not guarantee his team would be ready for the new season, is also targeting a new wing-back.

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