Zinedine Zidane could hand Thomas Tuchel a major blow in the summer transfer window, with the former Real Madrid boss heavily tipped to replace Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout at Paris Saint-Germain. The former France international has reportedly identified two targets he'd like at Les Parc des Princes for if, or when, he takes the helm of the Ligue 1 champions.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, his arrival at PSG is subject to a 'matter of details'. The report adds that the French giant's new sporting director Luis Campos is under pressure from the club's Qatari ownership to appoint Zidane over Nice boss Christophe Galtier.
However, Zidane is said to want 'absolute control' over recruitment in the French capital, and he already has two players in mind that he'd like to earmark the birth of a new era at the club. One of whom, according to El Chiringuito, via Sport, is Chelsea transfer target Ousmane Dembele.
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The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this season, with Tuchel eager to reunite with his former colleague. The Blues are understood to be favourites to sign Dembele, who sees his contract at the Camp Nou expire in the coming weeks.
He's rejected Barcelona's latest effort to retain his services, according to journalist Sique Rodriguez Gairi from Spanish radio network La Cadena SER. The report adds that Blaugrana will make no further effort to keep the France international, handing Chelsea - among other clubs too - a free run.
The winger's decision to do so is another hint that fuels a potential move to Stamford Bridge. It's believed that Dembele decided to delay the decision regarding his future until the Blues' takeover was completed despite interest from Liverpool and PSG, the Press Association claim.
Tuchel is known to be a big admirer of Dembele, with the pair having worked together at Borussia Dortmund. The duo enjoyed time alongside one another in the Bundesliga - so much so that the German's management steered Dembele towards a huge £135.5million move to the Catalan state.
football.london understands that Chelsea are interested in the Frenchman and could move for him this summer. However, it's believed that the club will likely need to make space for his arrival with the sale of an attacker.
Regardless of whether the Chelsea boss signs the winger, Tuchel is keen to undergo a rebuild at Chelsea this summer. With the new ownership group eager to bolster the Blues' armoury, The Telegraph report that after player sales are taken into account, the club could be granted a £200million to spend 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."
