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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Paul Brown

Chelsea 'eyeing three defenders as race for £135m forward hots up'

Chelsea are hoping for a busy summer once Todd Boehly's consortium completes it's takeover of the club.

And manager Thomas Tuchel will hold talks with the LA Dodgers co-owner, who wants to make at least one statement signing.

With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both leaving the club and the likes of Mason Mount and Reece James needing new contracts, there is plenty to do.

So with a potentially busy window ahead, here are all the latest Chelsea transfer rumours:

Three Kounde alternatives eyed

It is not secret that Sevilla's Jules Kounde is Chelsea's top priority to fill a centre back role this summer.

But he is also on Barcelona's radar - and it's not out of the question that the Blues sign TWO defenders.

With that in mind, Chelsea have widened the net and are currently scouting possible alternatives.

According to Goal, those include Paris St-Germain's Presnel Kimpembe, RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol and Jose Gimenez of Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea eye Barcelona forward

Chelsea are well stocked in forward areas but did make an enquiry for Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele in January.

And according to 90min they are ready to rival Bayern Munich and PSG in the race to sign him this summer.

Dembele has failed to live up to his star billing since he joined Barca from Borussia Dortmund in a deal which could rise to £135m.

But Thomas Tuchel is a fan after working with the player in Germany, and the 25-year-old will be a free agent when his contract expires in June.

Left back on Dortmund radar

Borussia Dortmund are lining up a move for Chelsea youngster Ian Maatsen, according to German newspaper Bild.

The 20-year-old has played 40 games on loan at Coventry in the Championship this season and has been extensively scouted by Dortmund.

Maatsen has managed just one appearance for the Chelsea first team and Dortmund believe he could be tempted away by the promise of more regular first-team football.

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