Who will be lining up in the Chelsea backline next season is still very much up in the air.
Before last week, Jules Kounde was odds on to become a Chelsea player this summer but Marina Granovskaia's exit has coincided with the fact that the Blues have now cooled their interest in the Sevilla man in favour of Juventus star Matthijs de Ligt. The La Liga phenomenon was reportedly more of a club and Granovskaia target whilst manager Thomas Tuchel actually has de Ligt topping his own transfer wish-list which new owner Todd Boehly wants to adhere to. But it won't just be one defender that will be signed this summer.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have already left and both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso could follow suit in the coming weeks as they both try and push forward their dream Barcelona moves and even potentially link up with Sevilla's number 23 who is now open to the idea of a Camp Nou move after holding talks with manager Xavi. So where do Chelsea go next in their search of a potential de Ligt partner?
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Amid suggestions that a Premier League proven defender would be added to the roster for 2022/23 to join the likes of de Ligt, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah and potentially Levi Colwill in making up the foundation of the Blues' centre-halves for 2022/23, it is being reported in the European media that a certain Serie A star could also be departing Italy for London this summer. According to Tuttosport via SempreInter.com, they are reporting that the Blues are 'serious' about signing Slovakian defender Milan Škriniar, a player who they failed to get included in the Romelu Lukaku negotiations with Inter Milan.
The report goes on to clarify that Internazionale are hoping that interest from the current World Champions and Paris Saint-Germain will lead to his value being raised this summer. Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has always been a huge admirer of his former defender and would make a move to try and bring him to the Lilywhites if they didn't have more pressing areas in need of attention amid strong links to Everton's Richarlison. Spurs signing a new centre-back is likely to come nearer the end of the transfer window as all focus is currently on signing full-back Djed Spence and another attacker. PSG meanwhile are progressing their talks for the 27-year-old nicely, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
His latest tweet on the situation read: "Paris Saint-Germain will push again in negotiations for Milan Škriniar next week. New contacts expected with Inter to discuss again after opening bid turned down. PSG expected to offer around €60million - while Inter have an agreement with Bremer on personal terms since Jan."
Seemingly, Chelsea will need to move quickly if they were serious about hijacking Luis Campos' talks for the Serie A regular. A partnership of de Ligt and Skriniar at the back next season for the Stamford Bridge-based club would certainly be a prospect that would get the supporters excited.
Chelsea fans - Would a partnership of Matthijs de Ligt and Milan Škriniar would in your opinion and if not, why? Leave your thoughts down below in the comments section!
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