Thomas Tuchel has reportedly handed Todd Boehly a transfer wish list ahead of the upcoming summer window, with three defenders and a striker perking the Chelsea boss' interest. The American-led consortium, who agreed a £4.25billion deal to buy the west London club last month, are expected to 'push for A-list signings' to mark a new era at Stamford Bridge, according to the MailOnline.
With the new ownership group eager to bolster the Blues' armoury, The Telegraph report that after player sales are taken into account, Tuchel is set to have £200million at his disposal to strengthen his side. As part of Boehly's mission to strengthen Chelsea, it's believed that the LA Dodgers co-owner is keen to narrow the gap between the west Londoners and the Premier League's runaway title contenders Manchester City and Liverpool
And, in doing so, it's believed that Gabriel Jesus has courted the interest of Chelsea, who are said to have joined the race following Romelu Lukaku's disappointing return to Stamford Bridge
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Pep Guardiola's side are believed to value their forward at £50million and Arsenal are 'confident' of completing a deal. However, Bild journalist Christian Falk has reported that Tuchel is excited by the prospect of working with Jesus and, with Champions League qualification as leverage, Chelsea have put themselves in a good position.
Jesus, though, is not the only player on the Blues boss' shortlist, the report claims. Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Kounde and Matthijs de Ligt are also said to be on Chelsea's radar - the three defenders, Jesus too, have an accumulative value of around £229million, according to CIES Football Observatory.
Chelsea's intense transfer plans stem from Tuchel, who is plotting a rebuild 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 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.
