Wesley Fofana, Milan Skriniar

Wesley Fofana, Milan Skriniar - The status of Chelsea's transfer shortlist of defenders

Chelsea have landed two transfers already this summer in the form of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly but it's clear that Thomas Tuchel is still hoping for more. The centre of defence has been a clear area of the Blues' squad the German coach has wanted to strengthen following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

The club have already struggled in their attempts to sign Matthijs de Ligt, Raphinha and Nathan Ake, with the possibility that Jules Kounde could be added to their ranks if Barcelona are successful in landing the defender. football.london understands that Presnel Kimpembe, Wesley Fofana, Josko Gvardiol and Milan Skriniar are among the players Chelsea retain an interest in.

The Blues hoped to bring three central defenders into Stamford Bridge to bolster their ranks but given the profile and status of the targets, it will be no easy task to complete. football.london takes a look at their currents situations.

Wesley Fofana

The French international signed a contract extension as recently as March to see his deal run until June 2027. As a result it's clear that Fofana will not come cheap..

A £70 million fee has been touted as the figure to get Leicester to even begin considering a deal. The 21-year-old is one of five central defenders Brendan Rodgers can call upon alongside Caglar Soyuncu, Jonny Evans, Daniel Amartey and Jannik Vestergaard. It's a position that the Midlands club have looked to strengthen as recently as January however and the Foxes have expressed interest in Levi Colwill and Malang Sarr in the past. They are yet to sign anyone at all this summer.

Leicester do not tend to sell more than one key player in a transfer window however and with Youri Tielemans subject to interest and a contract that comes to end next summer, there may be other priorities.

Nevertheless, football.london understands Chelsea are set to meet Fofana's entourage.

Milan Skriniar

The Slovakian defender has long seemed set for PSG with just one year remaining on his Inter Milan contract. Progress over the move appears to have slowed in recent days. A hefty £59 million price-tag may be proving prohibitive but according to Sport Italia, Inter representatives are in the London with PSG counterparts to hold a meeting over a transfer for the defender.

That said, it seems Inter are willing to extend the defender's stay too. Tuttosport suggest that talks over the possibility could take place in the next few days.

Josko Gvardiol

Another young central defender with a whole host of admirers. The 20-year-old Croatian only joined RB Leipzig last summer but has already drawn a great deal of interest including from Chelsea and Tottenham. Earlier this summer a report from Croatia claimed that Gvardiol's father flew to London to discuss a possible move with Thomas Tuchel.

For the moment, it appears that Gvardoil may be content to continue his life in Germany however. In March he told BILD via Buli News: "I really enjoy every day with this great team at this first-class club."

The left-footed youngster is another player who could have a new deal on the cards too, although it has been suggested there could be a £43 million release clause within that.

Presnsel Kimpembe

Chelsea were set to submit a bid for Kimpembe earlier this month, with Thomas Tuchel an admirer of his former charge. PSG were said to be open to a deal but only if the Frenchman wanted to leave. The 26-year-old still has two years remaining on his current deal and appears content in Paris having developed through the club's academy.

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