Chelsea ponder twin signings, as new target climbs to top of Tuchel’s list
Chelsea have added Villarreal defender Pau Torres to their target list as they plot moves for two centre-backs, claims a report.
Thomas Tuchel was understood to be desperate to add Jules Kounde to his squad in the summer. The Sevilla man’s price tag though ultimately became out of reach.
That has left Tuchel still requiring at least one new central defender.
Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, who have shared defensive responsibilities this season, are all out of contract next summer.
It’s a situation that has Chelsea concerned and seen them draw up a target list of replacements. According to 90min, Tuchel could be given the green light “to move for two new centre-backs”.
While talks with Christensen are said to be progressing, Brazilian veteran Thiago has yet to decide whether he will play on. The 37-year-old penned a new one-year deal in the summer after arriving on a 12-month contract in 2020.
Denmark international Christensen confirmed earlier this month that the Blues had begun discussions over a new deal.
The Sun stated recently that the final details of Christensen’s new contract were being finalised before an official announcement is made.
Meanwhile, the biggest issue remains with Rudiger’s future. A contract renewal for the German defender is proving far from straight forward.
Rudiger is looking to become one of the club’s highest-paid players. Chelsea so far, are refusing to budge with Marca claiming the club’s salary offer is worth €6.5m per season, but Rudiger wants €10m.
And with the likes of Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain said to be interested the player knows he could get his desired salary elsewhere.
Those issues have led Chelsea to the door of Torres.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
Niklas Sule interest
As per the source, Chelsea’s scouts have “issued glowing reports” on the 24-year-old.
After a season where he played 44 times and helped the Yellow Submarine to a seventh-placed LaLiga finish and to glory in the Europa League, he continued to excel all summer.
He featured for Spain at both Euro 2020 and the Olympics and has started the season in solid form too.
He is under contract until 2024 and the Manchester Evening News claimed earlier this year that Torres’ release clause was around the €60m mark.
Chelsea also have Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule on their radar, per the source.
Sule is out of contract in Bavaria himself next summer.
SportBild claimed Sule was on Tuchel’s radar earlier in the season and he seems to be still in the Chelsea’ boss’ thinking.
READ MORE: ‘I need’ – Jules Kounde gives his side of story after Chelsea transfer saga
The post Chelsea ponder twin signings, as new target climbs to top of Tuchel’s list appeared first on TEAMtalk.