Chelsea and Manchester United look set to lock horns for the signing of Benjamin Pavard. Jules Kounde has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, but with Todd Boehly yet to have wrapped up a deal, it seems as if the Blues are delving deeper into the market to assess their alternative options.
football.london understands that the west Londoners are readying a bid for the 23-year-old, which will be submitted this week. It's also understood that Chelsea and the Sevilla defender verbally agreed on personal terms earlier in the summer, meaning that a transfer can be completed swiftly amid rival interest from Barcelona.
But, with Kounde yet to put pen to paper, Pavard is said to have been lined up as an option. According to French outlet L’Équipe, Chelsea and United are both eager to prise the Bayern Munich defender to the Premier League.
READ MORE: Chelsea receive £60m Raphinha transfer boost as Todd Boehly sets new Barcelona deadline
But, the duo are set to face tough competition from Juventus and Atletico Madrid. Pavard, who sees his contract with the German giants expire in two years, is valued in the region of £25million by CIES Football Observatory.
The 26-year-old featured 25 times for Bayern in the Bundesliga last season, steering the club to another league title. Pavard has built a reputation on both the international and domestic stage for his versatility across the backline.
And, with Thomas Tuchel in the market for a right-sided centre-half as well as backup to Reece James in a back-four, the France international paints himself as the ideal wildcard candidate to join Chelsea if, of course, Kounde becomes unavailable. However, it must be said that L’Équipe insisted that Pavard sees a future for himself at centre-back.
Though regardless of who Boehly signs this summer, Tuchel is keen to undergo a rebuild. 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."
READ NEXT:
Richarlison to Spurs hands Todd Boehly wake-up call amid Chelsea and Raphinha transfer impasse
Thomas Tuchel may already have the answer to Chelsea's £50m Manchester City transfer problem
Barcelona secure £177.6m windfall to concern Chelsea in Raphinha transfer battle
Sell Timo Werner, keep Levi Colwill - How Chelsea's squad should look after the transfer window
Pep Guardiola has already told Thomas Tuchel what Nathan Ake offers amid Chelsea transfer move
