Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has been heavily linked with a move away from the San Siro this summer, with Chelsea and Tottenham said to be among the several clubs ready to step up to the plate. However, the pair of London clubs reportedly face tough competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 27-year-old, who sees his contract in Italy expire next year, featured 35 times for Simone Inzaghi's side in the Serie A this season, helping the Nerazzurri retain the second best defensive record in the league. Skriniar has grown into one of Europe's most coveted centre-backs in recent years and his impressive displays have, once again, rallied a wealth of interest in his services.
According to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, PSG have already submitted a €50million (£42.7m) bid for the defender which was swiftly rejected. Chelsea and Tottenham, who are also believed to be interested in rivalling the French giants for the Slovakian's signature, are yet to have tabled an offer of their own.
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It's said that PSG have essentially tested the waters for both Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte, with Inter revealing Skriniar's asking price. The Italian giants will reportedly demand at least €70million (£59.8m) for the defender's signature.
The Parisians, though, are expected to up their bid in the coming weeks. But, with the Blues boss set to have £200million at his disposal to strengthen his side this summer, Chelsea could have the firepower to outbid PSG.
However, Skriniar isn't the only defender in the Serie A that Tuchel has his eyes on. As quoted by Football Italia, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Chelsea have sent Kalidou Koulibaly a contract offer.
The report claims that the west Londoners' offer stands at €10million (£8.5m) a year. However, Chelsea, who are said to face competition from Barcelona, are still yet to have agreed a deal with Napoli, who value the 30-year-old centre-half at €40million (£34.1m).
Koulibaly, who sees his contract with the Italian side expire at the end of next season, featured 27 times for the Italian giants in the Serie A this season, steering Gli Azzurri towards a title charge. His impressive displays have seen Luciano Spalletti's side relish the joint-best defensive record in the league behind only AC Milan, who won their first Scudetto in eleven years.
With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen not at Stamford Bridge next season, Tuchel is plotting a rebuild of his backline this summer. Speaking to football.london, the Blues boss said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
football.london understand that Jules Kounde is the west London club's priority following the takeover. The Sevilla defender is keen on moving to the Blues, almost 12 months after his proposed switch to Stamford Bridge collapsed at the final hurdle.
There is a growing expectation that Chelsea will get the Kounde deal over the line this time around. But, Tuchel's search for new defenders is set to continue after that.
