Chelsea are set to ‘deepen discussions’ with Inter Milan over the signing of Milan Skriniar this summer, according to reports in Italy.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are in the market for central defenders this summer.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both departed on free transfers, with Rudiger being unveiled at Real Madrid.
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Christensen remains without a club but has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.
Therefore, the Blues must act quickly to bring in replacements for the pair.
Recent reports have stated that Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt is the number one target.
The Dutch defender is said to have moved ahead of Jules Kounde as the priority target for Chelsea this summer.
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Sevilla’s Kounde was heavily linked with a move to the Blues previously, with Tuchel confirming their interest last summer.
He said: “It was clear we tried for Kounde and Saul and it was very, very late but it was a very, very smooth transfer window because I had full concentration on training and on my team.”
However, with Sevilla proving to be tough negotiators and Marina Granovskaia departing Chelsea, the club have turned their attention to De Ligt.
The Blues are certain to need more than one centre back this summer to replace the two outgoings.
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Nathan Ake of Manchester City has emerged as a target in recent days and could be pursued.
However, reports in Italy believe that Inter Milan’s Skriniar is set to be discussed.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea have expressed interest in the defender.
The report states that the Blues asked for information on Skriniar when discussing a deal for Romelu Lukaku’s return to Inter Milan.
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Now, there is ‘the will to deepen the discussion’ as Chelsea could look to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the 27-year-old.
It was revealed earlier in the month that Chelsea had made an enquiry for the Inter star.
Lukaku is set to be announced as an Inter Milan player once again this week, joining on a season-long loan from Chelsea.
Chelsea’s interim sporting director and co-owner Todd Boehly conducted negotiations as he looked for a player swap deal, bringing Skriniar's name to the Italian club.
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However, Inter are keen on receiving a fee for the defender and are hoping that Chelsea and PSG will engage in a bidding war for the Slovakian international.
It remains to be seen as to whether Chelsea will pursue Skriniar or focus on alternative targets as they are desperate to sign defenders this summer.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Inter Milan, Milan Skriniar, Transfers, Football
Nick Emms