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Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is edging closer to seeing his demand met after talks were confirmed to be underway regarding a Serie A transfer, per multiple reports.

The Blues are poised to launch a sustained title challenge this year after a whirlwind eight months. Tuchel’s mid-season appointment last year sparked a remarkable resurgence in the second half of the season. The German guided Chelsea to Champions League glory, and the good times kept on coming in the summer transfer window.

Romelu Lukaku has returned to Stamford Bridge in a club-record £97.5m deal. The Belgian striker, 28, will provide Chelsea with a clinical edge up front, though he may not be the final arrival.

The club retain hopes of landing Sevilla centre-half Jules Kounde. Indeed, the latest report revealed the ball is in Sevilla’s court after personal terms were already agreed.

But to ensure additional moves can be made, exits may first be required. A report on Monday highlighted a trio of Chelsea stars Tuchel wishes to see moved on.

Midfield threesome Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoue Bakayoko cost a combined £90m in transfer fees. Nevertheless, all three were reportedly told by Tuchel to ‘organise moves elsewhere’.

And per the Sun, Football Italia and trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano, Tuchel’s demand regarding the latter on that list could soon be met.

Romano tweeted AC Milan are ‘in talks over Bakayoko’s comeback’. The Ivory Coast international impressed on loan at the San Siro in the 2018/19 season.

Football Italia (citing Sky Sport Italia), revealed all that remains is to ‘iron out the last details’ before the 27-year-old can return to Italy.

Neither source indicated what type of deal would be struck, though the Sun have speculated as to it’s nature.

They expect another one-year loan deal to materialise. That would mean Bakayoko would spend the last 12 months of his Chelsea contract away from Stamford Bridge and leave as a free agent next summer.

Napoli are also namechecked as an interested suitor after Bakayoko’s loan stint in Naples last season. Lyon are also in the frame, but it appears a move to Milan in on the agenda.

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Chelsea exodus draws Newcastle attention

Meanwhile, Newcastle United are hoping to beat the rush and secure a loan deal for young Chelsea defender Ethan Ampadu this summer.

Loans are the best that Steve Bruce can hope for at this stage of the transfer window after splashing out £25m on Joe Willock. Mike Ashley is reluctant to spend big on new stars. As such a move for Ampadu fits the bill, according to The Northern Echo.

He was not included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the Blues opening top-flight clash last weekend. Chelsea beat Crystal Palace 3-0 in their season opener while Newcastle went down 4-2 at home to West Ham United.

The Tynesiders need defensive reinforcements after losing Florian Lejeune to Alaves. They were hoping to secure a loan deal for Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe but he opted for Aston Villa instead.

Ampadu is a versatile player who can also operate in a defensive midfield role. Back in April he admitted his Chelsea future was up in the air after an enjoyable stint at Bramall Lane.

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