Thiago Silva has handed Chelsea a major boost in the race to sign Presnel Kimpembe, with Thomas Tuchel eager to prise the Paris Saint-Germain defender to Stamford Bridge this summer. The 27-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to west London amid the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Kimpembe, who sees his contract at Les Parc des Princes expire in June 2024, is set to meet with PSG's newly-appointed sporting director Luis Campo in the comings weeks to discuss his future. The France international featured 41 times for the French giants this season, steering the club towards another Ligue 1 title.
The centre-back's impressive displays helped Mauricio Pochettino sustain the best defensive record in the league, though his efforts weren't enough to navigate PSG through the Champions League round-of-16. Despite this, he's reportedly courted Chelsea's interest, with a switch to west London on the cards.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly Chelsea takeover agreement gives Thomas Tuchel La Liga transfer mission green light
And, seemingly keen to reunite with his former teammate, Silva has reportedly received ‘a few text messages’ from the Brazil international to ‘sell him’ the club's project, according to French journalist Olivier Bossard. The pair featured alongside one another 75 times for PSG, losing on just six occasions.
Though, speaking to French radio network RMC Sport, as quoted by GFFN, Kimpembe clarified his intentions ahead of the summer transfer window amid interest from Chelsea. He said: "Everyone knows the love I have for Paris Saint-Germain - it’s reciprocal.
"I’ll be 27 in August, it’s a key moment in my career. I’m waiting to meet with the new management with regard to the club’s project. We’ll have to speak very soon."
Tuchel is said to be very interested in luring the defender to Stamford Bridge this summer, according to a report from Sky Sports. Kimpembe, who is valued at around £34million by CIES Football Observatory, is believed to be the Blues boss' 'preference' ahead of a proposed rebuild.
Speaking to football.london, Tuchel 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 understands 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 their search for defenders is set to continue after that.
