Chelsea are interested in defender Benjamin Pavard who may leave Bayern Munich as talks for Matthijs de Ligt continue, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are on the hunt for defenders this summer and while there has yet to be an arrival at Stamford Bridge, there are multiple candidates that are being eyed up.
Following the losses of Antonio Rudiger to Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen who has joined Barcelona, Chelsea have been left with holes to plug at the back.
On top of this, Cesar Azpilicueta has been tied with a move to the Nou Camp and Barcelona are reported to be hopeful of completing the signing of Marcos Alonso next week as well.
Advert
Should these transfers go through, there will be even more cover needed at the back.
In terms of central defenders, Chelsea have been linked with the likes of Nathan Ake, Kalidou Koulibaly, Milan Skriniar and they still remain in the fight for long-term target Jules Kounde.
Their number one priority however has been Juventus’ De Ligt.
Recent reports suggest the Blues are ready to offer a five-year contract to the 22-year-old defender.
Advert
He has been identified as a key figure, alongside Manchester City’s Ake, in the rebuild under Tuchel for next season.
There is still the issue of the transfer fee and Chelsea face competition for the signing by Bayern Munich
Both clubs seem unwilling to pay the asking price the Old Lady have set and are holding onto, but the Blues are preparing a new offer.
Advert
After having a player-plus-cash deal rejected, Chelsea could submit a new and improved proposal of €75 million.
While Chelsea’s main focus this summer has been on central defenders and attacking options to gear up the frontline, it has been claimed that they have interest in signing Bayern full-back Pavard.
Florian Plettenberg detailed that the Frenchman could leave in this window.
Advert
There have been talks about his future and Chelsea are one of the three clubs interested, with the other two being Juventus and Atletico Madrid.
Perhaps most well known for his slicing half-volley into the top left-hand corner against Argentina in the World Cup in 2018, Pavard is 26-years-old and has a lot of experience to his name.
Of course he went on to lift the World Cup that year with his native France and has now emerged as a surprise target for the Blues.
Playing on the right side of defence he could provide good backup for Reece James, especially should Azpilicueta choose to leave for Barcelona.
Topics: Benjamin Pavard, Chelsea, Bayern Munich
Sam Collins